Description
This baked feta pasta recipe delivers a simple yet flavorful dish combining roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and al dente pasta. Roasting the tomatoes and feta together creates a rich, jammy sauce that perfectly coats the pasta, while fresh basil adds a pop of herbaceous freshness. It’s an effortless, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 500g cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, lightly bashed
- Small bunch of basil, leaves picked
Dairy
- 200g block of feta cheese
Pasta and Grains
- 350g pasta (penne, rigatoni or your favourite shape)
Oils and Spices
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Pinch of chilli flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare tomatoes: Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. In a medium baking dish, toss the cherry tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil, chilli flakes, and lightly bashed garlic cloves to infuse flavor.
- First roast: Roast the tomato mixture for 15 minutes to soften and begin releasing juices.
- Add feta and bake: Nestle the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish among the tomatoes. Season everything generously with salt and pepper. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the feta is golden and the tomatoes have softened to a jammy consistency.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a mugful of the pasta cooking water.
- Combine and toss: Remove and discard the garlic cloves from the baked dish. Using a fork, break up the baked feta cheese. Add the cooked pasta directly to the baking dish. Toss everything gently together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta evenly.
- Season and garnish: Adjust seasoning with freshly ground black pepper. Scatter freshly picked basil leaves over the dish to finish, and serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta shape such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli depending on preference.
- Adjust chilli flakes quantity to control spiciness.
- Reserve pasta water is important to achieve a creamy texture in the sauce.
- For a smoother sauce, mash the feta and tomatoes thoroughly once baked before tossing with pasta.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up extra sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta pasta, roasted tomato pasta, easy vegetarian pasta, creamy feta sauce, Mediterranean pasta recipe
