Baked Feta Pasta is a viral recipe that combines creamy feta cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, and garlic into a rich and flavorful pasta sauce—all made in the oven!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Baking Dish:
- Place cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, and add garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and oregano. Toss to coat.
- Place the feta block in the center and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Bake:
- Roast uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and feta is soft and golden.
Cook the Pasta:
- While the feta bakes, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Make the Sauce:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork, mixing everything into a creamy sauce.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and toss until well coated. If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Garnish & Serve:
- Stir in fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips:
- For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Make it creamy by stirring in a splash of heavy cream.
- Use goat cheese or ricotta if feta is too strong for your taste.
