Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a simple yet flavorful one-pan dish combining creamy baked feta cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes and al dente pasta. This easy Mediterranean-inspired recipe melds creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors for a comforting and crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Dairy
- 200 g feta cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 400 g cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Pantry
- 300 g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the tomatoes and feta.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Place the cherry tomatoes evenly in a large baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. This helps to enhance their natural sweetness as they roast.
- Add Feta: Position the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the feta and sprinkle a bit more black pepper for extra flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes until tomatoes are blistered and feta is softened and golden, indicating it’s ready to be mixed.
- Cook Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and set aside.
- Combine Garlic: After baking, remove the dish from the oven and add the minced garlic. Stir thoroughly until the feta becomes creamy and combines with the roasted tomatoes, creating a lush sauce.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the baking dish and toss well to coat each piece with the creamy feta-tomato mixture.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and optional grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness and flavor.
Notes
- Use good quality feta for the creamiest texture.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta variety.
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes or small heirloom tomatoes.
- Ensure pasta is drained well to avoid watering down the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: baked feta pasta, easy pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, feta cheese pasta, roasted tomato pasta, one-pot pasta
