Baked Feta Pasta
The viral sensation: cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, garlic, and herbs baked until bubbly, then tossed with pasta for a creamy, tangy dish.
Ingredients
- •2 pint cherry tomatoes
- •8 oz feta cheese block
- •0.33 cup olive oil, extra virgin
- •6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed or roughly chopped
- •1 teaspoon dried oregano
- •0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- •0.5 teaspoon salt
- •0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- •12 oz pasta (such as penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- •0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- 1.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2.
Place the cherry tomatoes in a 9x13 inch (or similar size) baking dish. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the olive oil over the tomatoes. Add the smashed garlic cloves, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
- 3.
Create a space in the center of the tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese directly in the middle. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the feta.
- 4.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and are jammy, and the feta is soft, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- 5.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- 6.
Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork or spoon, mash the feta cheese and burst tomatoes together until a creamy sauce forms. Stir everything together, ensuring the garlic is incorporated.
- 7.
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the baking dish. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the feta-tomato sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- 8.
Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.
Tips
- 💡For an extra depth of flavor, you can roast the tomatoes and feta with a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme alongside the oregano.
- 💡Don't skip the reserved pasta water! It's starchy and helps emulsify the sauce, making it extra creamy.
- 💡If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- 💡Feel free to add other vegetables like sliced bell peppers or onions to the baking dish along with the tomatoes for added nutrition and flavor.
- 💡While a block of feta is traditional, crumbled feta can also be used, though it might melt and incorporate into the sauce a bit differently.
Recipe from TheCookbook.ai
Created by Shannon Williams