Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Baked feta pasta is a simple yet flavorful dish featuring blistered cherry tomatoes and creamy feta cheese baked to perfection. This one-pan meal combines tangy, sweet, and savory flavors with al dente pasta for an irresistible comfort food experience.

Ingredients

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes (4 1/3 cups)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 block feta cheese (8-10 oz)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 8 oz dried pasta (medium cut)
• Boiling salted water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425ºF.
2. Step 2: Place the cherry tomatoes into a large broil-safe 9×13” baking dish and pour in the olive oil.
3. Step 3: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly with the olive oil.
4. Step 4: Create a well in the center of the baking dish and place the block of feta cheese in it.
5. Step 5: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes are blistered and the feta starts to brown.
6. Step 6: About 10-15 minutes before the baking is done, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
7. Step 7: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
8. Step 8: Drain the pasta and cover with a plate to keep warm.
9. Step 9: Change the oven setting to broil. If your dish is not broil-safe, you can instead bake for an additional 5-10 minutes at 450ºF.
10. Step 10: Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until bubbly and most tomatoes have blistered further.
11. Step 11: Remove the dish from the oven and add the minced garlic.
12. Step 12: Using a wooden spoon, mash the tomatoes and feta together with the garlic to form a creamy, chunky sauce.
13. Step 13: Stir in the chopped fresh basil until combined.
14. Step 14: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir until well coated.
15. Step 15: Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use gluten-free or whole wheat pasta for a healthier or dietary-friendly option.
• Swap fresh basil with parsley or oregano for a different herbal note.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• If you prefer a creamier sauce, drizzle a bit of pasta cooking water into the mixture before tossing with pasta.

Storage

Store leftover baked feta pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of cheese instead of feta?

Feta’s salty, tangy flavor is key to this dish, but you can experiment with goat cheese or ricotta for a milder, creamier texture. Keep in mind the taste will vary.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, it reheats well and can be made ahead, though it’s best enjoyed fresh for the fullest flavor and texture from the roasted tomatoes and warm feta.

Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 62 reviews

This Baked Feta Pasta is a delightful and creamy dish featuring blistered cherry tomatoes and a baked block of feta cheese combined with garlic and fresh basil, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a simple yet flavorful meal that comes together effortlessly and delivers a rich, tangy, and comforting experience.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Pasta
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Produce

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes (4 1/3 cups)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Dairy

• 1 8-10 oz block feta cheese

Pantry

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 8 oz dried pasta (medium cut)
• Boiling salted water (for cooking pasta)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425ºF to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and feta.
2. Prepare Tomatoes: Place the cherry tomatoes into a large broil-safe 9×13 inch baking dish and pour the olive oil over them. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss the tomatoes to coat evenly with the oil and seasoning.
3. Add Feta: Create a well in the center of the baking dish large enough for the block of feta cheese and place the block in the middle.
4. Bake Tomatoes and Feta: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the cherry tomatoes blister and the feta cheese starts to brown.
5. Cook Pasta: When there are 10 to 15 minutes left for the baking, bring a large pot of boiling salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
6. Drain Pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander and cover with a plate to keep warm.
7. Broil for Finish: Once baking time is up, set the oven to broil. Using the same dish if broil-safe, broil the feta and tomatoes for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly and blistered. Alternatively, if not broil-safe, you can bake at 450ºF for 5 to 10 more minutes.
8. Add Garlic: Remove the dish carefully from the oven and add the minced garlic cloves.
9. Create Sauce: Use the bottom of a wooden spoon to break up and combine the blistered tomatoes and soft feta cheese into a creamy, chunky sauce along with the garlic.
10. Mix Basil: Stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves to the sauce evenly.
11. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and stir well until all the pasta is fully coated with the feta tomato sauce.
12. Serve: Optionally garnish with additional fresh basil and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• If your baking dish is not broil-safe, skip the broiling step and increase oven temperature to 450ºF to finish baking for 5-10 minutes.
• You can customize this recipe by adding red pepper flakes for heat or lemon zest for brightness.
• Use good quality feta cheese for the best flavor profile and creaminess.
• Medium cut pasta such as penne or rigatoni works best to hold the sauce.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to thin the sauce if desired.

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomato pasta, vegetarian pasta recipe, easy baked pasta