Description
This Baked Feta Pasta combines creamy roasted feta cheese with blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, and aromatic herbs, creating a luscious sauce that coats your favorite pasta perfectly. Simple yet flavorful, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Vegetables
- 8 oz block of feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Other Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the ingredients evenly.
- Arrange Ingredients: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a large baking dish and surround it with the cherry tomatoes, setting the stage for roasting.
- Add Flavor: Drizzle olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper evenly over the top.
- Roast Feta and Tomatoes: Place the baking dish in the oven and roast for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta cheese is golden and softened to a creamy texture.
- Cook the Pasta: While your feta and tomatoes roast, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Mash Roasted Ingredients: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the roasted feta and tomatoes together with a fork or spoon to create a creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to coat with the roasted feta tomato sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the pasta and serve warm, enjoying the rich, tangy, and hearty flavors.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta like penne or fusilli, or even spaghetti depending on your preference.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted to taste for spiciness.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to help achieve a smooth sauce consistency.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
