Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe combines al dente pasta with a creamy, tangy sauce made by baking a block of feta cheese and cherry tomatoes together. The oven roasting softens the tomatoes and melts the feta into a luscious sauce infused with garlic and oregano, creating a flavorful and easy meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for serving)
- Prepare the Pasta: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Bake the Feta and Tomatoes: In a baking dish, place the cherry tomatoes and the block of feta cheese in the center. Drizzle with olive oil and add the minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta is soft and slightly golden.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the baked feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and the reserved pasta water to the baking dish. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
- Dig In: Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness of this delicious baked feta pasta!
Notes
- For best results, use a good quality block of feta cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- You can add red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optional additions include sautéed spinach or olives for extra flavor.
Keywords: baked feta pasta, feta cheese pasta, tomato feta pasta, easy pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta