Description
This delicious Baked Feta Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish made by roasting cherry tomatoes and a block of feta cheese together, then mixing with cooked pasta. The warm, roasted flavors combined with garlic, oregano, and a hint of red pepper flakes create an easy and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces (225g) block of feta cheese
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces (225g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any shape you prefer)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Prepare ingredients: In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the feta. Drizzle everything with olive oil, and sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper over the top. Toss the tomatoes gently to coat them evenly in the seasonings.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta has softened and turned golden on top.
- Cook pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Create the sauce: When the baking is done, use a spoon or spatula to mash the roasted feta and tomatoes together in the dish, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the pasta with fresh basil leaves and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality feta for the best flavor and texture.
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes if needed.
- The red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat.
- Reserve pasta water carefully, as it helps loosen the sauce to perfect consistency.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread.
