Description

Baked Feta Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring a creamy roasted feta and blistered cherry tomato sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This no-fuss recipe uses olive oil, garlic, and herbs to create a luscious sauce that is both comforting and delicious, garnished with fresh basil for an aromatic finish. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Vegetables

8 oz block of feta cheese
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry

1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta

12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

Garnish

Fresh basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the feta and tomatoes.
Prepare Baking Dish: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish and arrange the cherry tomatoes all around it evenly.
Add Seasonings: Drizzle olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, making sure to coat them well. Then sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper over everything.
Roast Ingredients: Put the baking dish in the oven and roast for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta is softened and golden on top.
Cook Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes are roasting, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Create Sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the roasted feta and tomatoes together with a fork or spoon to create a creamy sauce.
Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss thoroughly to coat it with the sauce. If the mixture feels too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the consistency to your liking.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves over the pasta and serve warm immediately.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce and improve texture.
Red pepper flakes are optional for a subtle heat.
Use a sturdy baking dish that can handle oven temperatures of 400°F.
Substitute fresh oregano for dried if available, adjusting quantity accordingly.
For a vegan alternative, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese.
Serve with crusty bread to soak up extra sauce if desired.