5-Ingredient Baked Feta Pasta (TikTok Viral!)
This creamy feta pasta is made with roasted cherry tomatoes and tangy feta cheese that melts into a luscious sauce. The combination of fresh garlic, olive oil, and roasted veggies creates a rich and flavorful dish that's both comforting and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese – The star of the show! Feta adds a tangy creamy texture that perfectly melts into the pasta. Opt for a block of feta cheese, rather than crumbled, for the best results.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Juicy sweet cherry tomatoes are key to the success of this dish. They roast beautifully in the oven and blend perfectly with the feta.
- Pasta – Any type of pasta works here but short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are excellent choices. These shapes hold the sauce better and make for a satisfying bite.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil is essential to ensure the feta cheese and tomatoes roast properly and come together to create a creamy sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic adds a rich depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the feta and tomatoes.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven heats up, grab a baking dish large enough to fit the feta cheese and tomatoes. A 9x13-inch dish works perfectly for this recipe.
- Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil at the bottom of the dish to prevent the ingredients from sticking. This also adds a nice richness to the sauce.
Step 2: Arrange the Feta and Tomatoes
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish. Surround it with the cherry tomatoes. Make sure the tomatoes are scattered evenly, as they’ll soften and release their juices as they roast.
- Next, drizzle a little more olive oil over the feta and tomatoes. Then, sprinkle in some freshly minced garlic, or you can use garlic powder for convenience. A pinch of salt and pepper is also a good idea to season the dish from the start.
Step 3: Roast the Ingredients
- Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the feta is soft and slightly golden on top, and the tomatoes have burst and released their juices. The tomatoes will shrink and become tender, creating a delicious sauce that blends beautifully with the feta.
- You’ll know it’s ready when the feta is perfectly creamy and has a slight golden hue. The tomatoes should look soft, juicy, and somewhat collapsed.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
- While your feta and tomatoes are roasting, it’s time to cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook according to the package instructions. For al dente pasta, it’s typically around 8-10 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it, reserving a cup of pasta water. This starchy water will help bind the pasta with the sauce later on.
Step 5: Combine the Pasta and Roasted Ingredients
- Once the feta and tomatoes are done roasting, take them out of the oven. Use a fork or spoon to mash the feta and tomatoes together until they form a creamy, cohesive sauce. The tomatoes should break down easily, and the feta should melt into the mixture, creating a smooth, velvety texture.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish with the feta and tomatoes, tossing everything together to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. If you need to loosen up the sauce, add some reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- For a bit of extra flavor, sprinkle some fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top of your dish. This not only adds a pop of color but also enhances the overall taste of the dish. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Notes
Choose a quality feta: The feta is the star of this dish, so pick a good quality block feta cheese. Greek feta tends to work best due to its rich, tangy flavor.
Customize the veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to the dish if you like. Bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach are great additions. You can even add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
Use the pasta water: Don’t forget to save some pasta water! This starchy liquid helps to thicken the sauce and bind everything together, giving the dish a nice creamy consistency.
Make it a one-pan meal: For even less cleanup, you can cook your pasta right in the same pan where you roasted the feta and tomatoes. Just add the pasta to the baking dish in the final step, mix everything, and you're done!