Description
A creamy, tangy, and savory pasta dish made by roasting a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, then tossing it with cooked pasta. This easy one-dish meal is perfect for weeknights and customizable with various add-ins.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
- 2 pints (400g) cherry tomatoes
- 1 block (250g) feta cheese
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse and pat dry tomatoes; smash garlic cloves.
- Place the block of feta in the center of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange tomatoes around it.
- Drizzle olive oil over everything. Sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes, and add smashed garlic cloves.
- Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until tomatoes burst and feta is golden and soft.
- While pasta roasts, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Remove baking dish from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Mash tomatoes and feta together with a wooden spoon to create a sauce. Add pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Add drained pasta to the baking dish and toss to coat evenly.
- Tear fresh basil over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not skip the pasta water; the starch helps emulsify the sauce. Use a solid block of feta, not crumbled, for the best texture. Add fresh basil at the end to preserve flavor and color. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated with a splash of milk or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving based on 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: baked feta pasta, viral pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, cherry tomato pasta, one pot pasta, gluten-free option, vegetarian pasta