Baked Feta Pasta Delight

$For this dish, I use simple, fresh ingredients. Here’s what you need: - 200g pasta (penne or fusilli works best) - 200g block of feta cheese - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 4 cloves garlic, minced These ingredients come together to create a rich and creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Seasoning is key to bringing out the flavors. Here’s what I add: - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste The olive oil helps the tomatoes cook down beautifully, while the red pepper flakes add a nice kick if you like heat. Garnishes make a dish look and taste even better. I like to use: - Fresh basil leaves - Grated Parmesan cheese Adding these at the end gives the dish a fresh, vibrant touch and enhances the flavor. They also make for a beautiful presentation! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - In a large baking dish, mix together: - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Toss the mixture well. Make sure every tomato and garlic piece gets coated in olive oil. - Make a small space in the center of your tomato mixture. - Place a 200g block of feta cheese in that space. - Drizzle a bit more olive oil on top of the feta. - Season it lightly with salt and pepper. - Bake for about 30 minutes. The tomatoes should burst and caramelize. The feta will get soft and golden. - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. - Add 200g pasta, like penne or fusilli. - Cook according to package instructions until al dente. - Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. - Once the feta and tomatoes are baked, use a fork to mash the feta into the tomatoes. - This creates a creamy, flavorful sauce. - Add the drained pasta to the baking dish with the sauce. - Toss everything together until the pasta is coated well. If it’s too thick, add some reserved pasta water until you like the sauce’s consistency. - Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. - Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. To get the best texture from your baked feta, you need to know your oven. Baking times can vary. Most ovens will take about 30 minutes at 400°F (200°C). If your oven runs hot, check it a few minutes early. The tomatoes should burst and get a nice caramel color. To make sure the tomatoes caramelize, spread them evenly in the dish. They need space for heat to circulate. If they are too crowded, they will steam instead of caramelize. Sometimes, the sauce can be too thick after mixing. If that happens, add some reserved pasta water. Just a little at a time until you get the right consistency. Want more flavor? Add extra herbs like oregano or thyme. Fresh herbs can boost the taste and make it even better. For sides, crusty bread is a great choice. It helps scoop up the creamy sauce. You can also serve a light salad with it. Pair it with a crisp white wine to enhance the meal. Presentation matters too! Serve the pasta in shallow bowls. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil will impress your guests. Pro Tips Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for pasta shapes that can hold onto the creamy sauce well, such as fusilli or penne, for the best texture. Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder dish, skip the red pepper flakes. For extra spice, add more to taste or even a dash of hot sauce before serving. Experiment with Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the mix before baking for added nutrition and flavor. Make it Extra Creamy: For an even creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese after mashing the feta. {{image_4}} If you want to add protein, chicken or shrimp works great. Just cook them first. After baking the feta and tomatoes, mix in cooked chicken or shrimp. This adds flavor and makes the dish heartier. For a vegetarian twist, try adding chickpeas. They are packed with protein and add a nice texture. Just toss them in with the pasta for a boost. You can swap feta for goat cheese or ricotta. Goat cheese gives a tangy flavor, while ricotta adds creaminess. These cheeses melt well, making a rich sauce. Try mixing different cheeses for unique flavors. Each cheese will change the taste and texture of your dish. Experiment to find your perfect combo! Feel free to add other veggies to your dish. Zucchini and spinach are both great choices. They cook well with the tomatoes. You can also use seasonal veggies like asparagus in spring or squash in fall. This way, your baked feta pasta stays fresh and exciting. Adding more vegetables boosts nutrition too! After you enjoy your Baked Feta Pasta, you might have some leftovers. To store them, let the pasta cool at room temperature first. Then, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can keep the pasta in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it's sealed tight to avoid any strong odors from other foods. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can use either an oven or a stove. If you choose the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and heat for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the pasta moist. If you prefer using the stove, add a splash of water or olive oil to the pan. Heat it over medium heat, stirring often. This way, you maintain the creamy texture. You can freeze Baked Feta Pasta if you want to save it for later. Just make sure it has cooled completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can last in the freezer for up to two months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. When you're ready to eat, reheat it using the above methods. This keeps the flavors intact. I recommend using penne or fusilli for Baked Feta Pasta. These shapes hold the sauce well. Penne’s tubular shape lets the sauce fill each piece. Fusilli’s spirals catch the sauce and bits of feta. Both options give you a tasty bite every time. Yes, you can prep this dish ahead of time. Cook the pasta and store it separately. Combine the baked feta and tomatoes in a dish, cover it, and store. On the day you want to serve it, reheat the mixture and toss with the pasta. You can easily make this dish gluten-free. Use gluten-free pasta like brown rice or quinoa pasta. These options work well and keep the flavor intact. Always check the package for cooking times, as they may vary. If you want heat, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. You can mix them into the tomato mixture before baking. For an extra kick, try adding a dash of hot sauce while serving. This gives the dish a nice spicy twist. Yes, you can make this dish dairy-free. Instead of feta, use a plant-based cheese. Nutritional yeast also adds a cheesy flavor without dairy. You can also try a creamy cashew sauce to keep the dish rich and tasty. This blog post covered how to make Baked Feta Pasta step by step. We explored the main ingredients, like feta, pasta, and tomatoes. I shared tips for baking and seasoning, plus ideas for customizing your dish. In the end, this recipe is simple and fun to make. You can easily adapt it to fit your taste. Enjoy your cooking and the delightful meal that follows!$

A creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring baked feta cheese and roasted cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

200 g pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
200 g block of feta cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 cloves garlic, minced
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
to taste Salt
to taste freshly ground black pepper
for garnish Fresh basil leaves
for finishing Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Topping: In a large baking dish, combine halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the tomatoes and garlic are thoroughly coated in the oil and seasonings.
Add the Feta: Create a small space in the middle of the tomato mixture and gently place the block of feta cheese in that spot. Drizzle a touch more olive oil over the feta and season it lightly with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. The tomatoes should become burst and caramelized, while the feta will soften and turn a lovely golden hue.
Cook the Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Create the Sauce: Once the feta and tomatoes are out of the oven, use a fork to gently mash the feta into the roasted tomatoes, mixing them together to create a creamy and flavorful sauce.
Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish with the feta and tomato mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If it seems too thick, add in the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Final Seasoning: Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
Serve: Dish up the pasta warm, garnished with luscious fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve the pasta in shallow bowls, drizzled with a bit of olive oil and extra basil sprinkled on top. A crusty piece of bread on the side would complement the dish beautifully!

Keyword baked, easy, feta, pasta, tomatoes