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Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
Baked Feta Pasta became a viral sensation for good reason – this incredibly simple dish transforms just a handful of ingredients into a creamy, flavorful pasta dinner. With cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil as the stars, you’ll create a restaurant-quality meal in under 45 minutes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Minimal prep work required – just toss ingredients in a baking dish and let the oven do the magic
- Creates its own creamy sauce without any heavy cream or complicated techniques
- Perfect weeknight dinner that feels fancy but requires almost no cooking skills
- Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables, herbs, or protein additions
- One-dish wonder that means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal
Why This Baked Feta Pasta Works
The magic happens when feta cheese melts alongside roasted cherry tomatoes. As the tomatoes burst, they release their juices, creating a natural sauce base. The feta becomes creamy and combines with the tomato juices and olive oil.
The high oven temperature caramelizes the tomatoes slightly, adding depth of flavor. When you mix everything together with pasta, the starchy pasta water helps create a silky, restaurant-style sauce that clings to every noodle.
What You’ll Need for Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cavatappi pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8-ounce block feta cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, packed and chopped (plus extra for serving)
Tools
- 9×13 inch oven-safe baking dish
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Colander for draining
- Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Baked Feta Pasta
Follow these simple steps to create your own viral baked feta pasta:
| Step 1: | Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place cherry tomatoes in your baking dish, pour olive oil over them, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined. |
| Step 2: | Place the feta block in the center of the dish, surrounded by tomatoes. Flip it a couple times to coat with oil and seasoning. |
| Step 3: | Bake for 35 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta melts completely. |
| Step 4: | While baking, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. |
| Step 5: | Remove dish from oven, immediately add garlic and basil to the hot tomatoes and feta. Mix everything together. |
| Step 6: | Add cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Add pasta water if needed for creaminess. Garnish with fresh basil and serve. |
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use a block of feta, not crumbles – the block melts better and creates the perfect creamy consistency
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water – its starch content helps bind the sauce and adjust consistency
- Add garlic after baking to prevent burning and maintain its fresh, aromatic flavor
- Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves like cavatappi or rigatoni to hold the sauce better
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after mixing to allow the sauce to thicken slightly
Serving and Storage Tips for Baked Feta Pasta
Serving Tips
Serve your baked feta pasta immediately while it’s warm and creamy. Top with extra fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of quality olive oil. For added protein, consider grilled chicken or shrimp on the side.
Pair this dish with a simple green salad and crusty bread. The bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick for those who enjoy heat.
This recipe serves 6 people as a main course or 8 as a side dish. It’s perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining.
Mistakes to Avoid while making Baked Feta Pasta
Using pre-crumbled feta is a common mistake. These don’t melt as smoothly as a block and can result in a grainy texture. Always opt for a quality block of feta cheese.
Overcooking the pasta leads to mushy results. Remember, it continues cooking when mixed with the hot sauce. Aim for slightly firmer than al dente.
Adding garlic before baking often results in burnt, bitter flavors. Fresh garlic added after baking maintains its aromatic qualities. Similarly, don’t add fresh basil too early – it wilts and loses its bright flavor.
You Must Know
- Quality ingredients make a huge difference – use the best olive oil and feta you can afford
- The dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Different pasta shapes work, but avoid delicate varieties like angel hair that might break
- You can prep the tomatoes and feta earlier in the day and bake when ready to serve
Suggestions for Baked Feta Pasta
Transform this basic recipe with creative additions. Try adding spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or olives for Mediterranean flair. Roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts work wonderfully too.
For protein variations, mix in cooked chickpeas or white beans. This creamy pasta technique also works great with seafood additions.
Experiment with different cheese combinations. Mix feta with goat cheese or add a sprinkle of parmesan. Fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or dill create unique flavor profiles. For a heartier meal, consider this casserole-style approach.
FAQs:
While best served fresh, you can prep the tomatoes and feta in the baking dish up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then bake when ready. The completed dish reheats well with a splash of water or olive oil.
Grape tomatoes work perfectly as a direct substitute. For regular tomatoes, cut them into chunks. Canned diced tomatoes (drained) can work in a pinch, though fresh produces the best flavor and texture.
The most common reason is using pre-crumbled feta instead of a block. Also ensure you’re using enough olive oil and mixing vigorously while the cheese is still hot. Adding reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect consistency.
Absolutely! While cavatappi is ideal, penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle work great. Choose shapes with ridges or curves to hold the sauce. Avoid long thin pasta like spaghetti which doesn’t mix as well with this chunky sauce.
Enhance flavor by adding crushed red pepper before baking, using high-quality olive oil, or incorporating fresh herbs like oregano or thyme. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the entire dish.
Conclusion
Baked Feta Pasta proves that simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals. This viral recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Whether you stick to the classic version or experiment with additions, this dish guarantees a creamy, satisfying dinner every time. For more easy recipes, try this simple dessert to complete your meal.
Now that you know all the secrets to perfect baked feta pasta, it’s time to preheat that oven and create your own delicious version. Your family will thank you!
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- Juneteenth BBQ Meatballs – Easy Baked Recipe for 12
- Delightful Easy Chicken Pot Pie Biscuits: A Cozy Classic
- Savory & Spicy Crunchy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Fiesta Feast
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📖 Recipe Card
Easy Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This viral baked feta pasta transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, restaurant-quality dinner in just 45 minutes. Cherry tomatoes and feta cheese create an irresistible sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cavatappi pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8-ounce block feta cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, packed and chopped (plus extra for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place cherry tomatoes in your baking dish, pour olive oil over them, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.
- Place the feta block in the center of the dish, surrounded by tomatoes. Flip it a couple times to coat with oil and seasoning.
- Bake for 35 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta melts completely.
- While baking, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Remove dish from oven, immediately add garlic and basil to the hot tomatoes and feta. Mix everything together.
- Add cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Add pasta water if needed for creaminess. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Notes
- Use a block of feta, not crumbles – the block melts better and creates the perfect creamy consistency
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water – its starch content helps bind the sauce and adjust consistency
- Add garlic after baking to prevent burning and maintain its fresh, aromatic flavor
- Choose pasta shapes with ridges or curves like cavatappi or rigatoni to hold the sauce better
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes after mixing to allow the sauce to thicken slightly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: viral feta pasta recipe, cherry tomato pasta bake, creamy feta cheese pasta, easy weeknight pasta dinner, one-dish pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta dish, TikTok pasta trend, roasted tomato feta pasta
