Baked Feta Pasta

• •2 pint cherry tomatoes
• •8 oz feta cheese block
• •0.3 cup olive oil
• •4 large garlic cloves, minced
• •1 teaspoon dried oregano
• •0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• • to taste salt
• • to taste black pepper, freshly ground
• •12 oz pasta (such as penne, orecchiette, or farfalle)
• •0.3 cup fresh basil, chopped
• •0.5 cup pasta water, reserved

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. 2

   In a 9x13 inch baking dish (or similar size), add the cherry tomatoes. Make a space in the center of the tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese in it.

3. 3

   Drizzle the olive oil generously over the tomatoes and feta. Sprinkle the minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper over everything. Gently toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly with the oil and seasonings.

4. 4

   Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and are jammy, and the feta is soft, bubbly, and slightly golden. The feta should be easily mashable with a fork.

5. 5

   While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the rest of the pasta.

6. 6

   Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork or a potato masher, gently mash the roasted tomatoes and feta cheese together in the baking dish until a creamy sauce forms.

7. 7

   Add the drained cooked pasta to the baking dish. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the feta-tomato sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

8. 8

   Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

9. 9

   Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chef's Tips

• 💡Use a high-quality block of feta cheese, not pre-crumbled, for the best creamy texture and authentic flavor.
• 💡Don't overcrowd your baking dish; the tomatoes need space to roast and burst properly. If you have too many tomatoes, use a larger dish or split them between two.
• 💡Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your spice preference. For a milder dish, omit them entirely.
• 💡Fresh basil is key for a bright finish, but if unavailable, a sprinkle of fresh parsley can also work.
• 💡If you want to add more vegetables, spinach or bell peppers can be roasted alongside the tomatoes and feta.