Description:
This viral baked feta pasta combines creamy, tangy feta cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic, all mixed into al dente pasta for a rich, flavorful dish. With minimal prep and just a few ingredients, it’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner that’s taken social media by storm.
Servings:
This recipe serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 8 oz block of feta cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 10 oz pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - Prepare the feta and tomatoes:
In a large baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Surround the feta with the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and feta. Sprinkle the minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper over everything. - Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is golden and soft. - Cook the pasta:
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. - Mix it all together:
Once the feta and tomatoes are done, use a spoon or spatula to mash the feta and tomatoes together in the baking dish, creating a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together, adding a bit of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. - Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese (optional). Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 13g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
Notes:
- Add protein: You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a plant-based protein to make this dish more substantial.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute with gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Add greens: Toss in some fresh spinach or arugula for an extra boost of veggies.