Description
Baked Feta Pasta combines creamy, melted feta cheese with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes to create a silky, rich sauce that perfectly coats tender pasta. This one-dish bake is easy to prepare, full of fresh Mediterranean flavors, and customizable to your taste. Ideal for a comforting weeknight meal or an impressive dinner for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 block (about 200g) of good-quality, full-fat feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, rinsed and halved
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8 ounces (about 225g) pasta of your choice (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli recommended)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Additional fresh herbs like parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes, peel the garlic cloves, and measure out the block of feta cheese, olive oil, and dried oregano. Have your pasta ready to cook.
- Arrange in baking dish: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a baking dish. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and whole garlic cloves evenly around the feta. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle dried oregano, salt, and pepper over everything.
- Roast everything: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and soft on top, filling your kitchen with inviting aroma.
- Cook pasta: While the feta and tomatoes roast, cook your pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Mix it all together: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a spoon or spatula to mash the feta and roasted tomatoes into a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the dish and mix thoroughly. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Serve immediately: Garnish with fresh basil or other herbs as desired, then serve warm and enjoy your creamy, comforting baked feta pasta.
Notes
- Choose quality feta cheese for the best melting texture and rich flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce adhere perfectly to the pasta.
- Press the roasted tomatoes gently after baking to release their juices and increase sauce creaminess.
- Use a cast-iron or ceramic baking dish to ensure even heat distribution.
- Serve immediately for the best creamy and warm texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: baked feta pasta, feta cheese pasta, roasted tomato pasta, Mediterranean pasta, comfort food, easy pasta recipe
