Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines creamy baked feta cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes, tossed with al dente pasta and fresh basil for a comforting and visually appealing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed and halved
Seasonings and Oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop for cooking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add 8 ounces of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Prepare Feta and Tomatoes: Place the 8-ounce block of feta cheese in the center of a baking dish and scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around it.
- Add Oil and Seasonings: Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil evenly over the feta and tomatoes, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the feta softens and becomes golden around the edges.
- Mash Feta and Tomatoes: Remove the dish from the oven and mash the baked feta and tomatoes with a fork or spoon, creating a creamy sauce.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish with the mashed feta and tomatoes. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil over the pasta and give the dish a final toss.
- Serve: Serve the baked feta pasta immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it feels too thick.
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes if unavailable.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
