Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil (Printable)
Creamy pasta with roasted feta, burst cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. An easy 45-minute Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
→ Cheese and Vegetables
02 - 7 oz block feta cheese
03 - 2 pints cherry tomatoes, whole
04 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
→ Fresh Herbs and Garnish
09 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
10 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Place the cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, add garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat.
03 - Nestle the whole feta block in the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle a little extra olive oil on top of the cheese.
04 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and soft.
05 - Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
06 - Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy sauce.
07 - Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the baking dish. Stir until everything is well combined and coated in sauce.
08 - Stir in the fresh basil and lemon zest, if using. Serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasted tomatoes burst and create this incredible sauce that tastes like you spent all day making it
- It is one of those rare dishes that looks impressive but requires almost zero actual cooking skill
02 -
- The pasta water is non-negotiable here, it is what brings everything together into a cohesive sauce
- Your feta might look a bit browned on top, but that is exactly what creates those deep, caramelized flavors
03 -
- Room temperature feta bakes more evenly than cold from the refrigerator
- If your tomatoes are not bursting after 35 minutes, give them another 5 to 10 minutes