Irresistible Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
This irresistible baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make Mediterranean-inspired dish. Combining roasted feta and burst tomatoes with perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a comforting meal ideal for a quick dinner or a special occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces of pasta (penne or rigatoni work great)
- 8 ounces feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Cook Pasta: Cook your chosen pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a baking dish, add cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix gently to distribute.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cherry tomatoes have burst and the feta cheese has softened and slightly golden.
- Mash and Mix: Remove the dish from the oven, mash the softened feta and tomatoes together to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and mix well, incorporating reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm and enjoy your baked feta pasta.
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- Ensure to use egg-free pasta if you prefer a vegetarian option without eggs.
- Reserve pasta water helps to create a silky sauce, so do not skip this step.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently before serving.
