Baked Feta Pasta
A viral TikTok-inspired pasta dish featuring a block of feta cheese baked with cherry tomatoes and garlic until creamy, then tossed with cooked pasta and fresh basil for a simple yet delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pints grape tomatoes
- 5 medium garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 7 to 8 oz. block feta cheese (preferably sheep’s milk)
- 10 oz. Dry pasta
- 8 oz. spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and season with black pepper.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is soft and slightly golden.
- While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Immediately add the cooked pasta and fresh basil to the dish. Stir vigorously, mashing the tomatoes and feta into a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of olive oil and more fresh basil.
Notes
- Use a full-fat feta cheese for the creamiest results. Low-fat feta may not melt as well.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of dried oregano or thyme before baking.
- This dish is best served immediately, as the pasta can absorb the sauce and become dry upon standing.
- Customize by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or spinach for a heartier meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/baked-feta-pasta-recipe/
