Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a simple yet delicious one-pot pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made from roasted feta cheese and blistered cherry tomatoes. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe is quick to prepare, combining tangy feta, sweet roasted tomatoes, and aromatic herbs into a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Vegetables
- 8 oz block of feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the feta and tomatoes, allowing them to cook evenly and develop rich flavors.
- Arrange the ingredients: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish and surround it evenly with the cherry or grape tomatoes, setting the stage for roasting.
- Add seasoning and oil: Drizzle the olive oil over both the feta and tomatoes to coat them well. Sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes if using, and season generously with salt and black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Roast the feta and tomatoes: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta cheese turns golden and soft, ready to be transformed into a sauce.
- Cook the pasta: While the feta and tomatoes roast, cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
- Create the sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the softened feta and roasted tomatoes together with a fork or spoon, blending them into a creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles in the sauce. If the mixture feels too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the pasta for a bright herbal finish and serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- You can customize this dish by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for additional flavor and nutrition.
- If you prefer, substitute the feta with goat cheese for a milder taste or add crushed red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Reserve pasta water carefully, as it helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta and adjusts the texture without diluting the flavor.
- For a vegan twist, use vegan feta cheese and ensure the pasta is egg-free.
- This pasta can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven with a splash of water or olive oil to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
