Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
A quick and easy baked feta pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes that creates a creamy, tangy sauce perfect for a comforting and vibrant dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (300 grams) cherry tomatoes
- 7 ounces (200 grams) block full-fat feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
- A handful fresh basil leaves, torn
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the block of feta in the center of a medium-sized ovenproof baking dish. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around it.
- Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle minced garlic evenly, add 1 teaspoon dried oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season lightly with black pepper.
- Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and soften and feta is slightly browned and creamy.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Mash the feta and tomatoes together until creamy and chunky. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Toss the drained pasta into the baking dish with the feta-tomato mixture and stir well to coat.
- Finish with torn fresh basil leaves and give a gentle stir.
- Serve immediately while warm, optionally drizzling extra virgin olive oil or sprinkling cracked black pepper.
Notes
Do not over-roast the feta to avoid dryness or graininess. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Salt pasta water generously and do not rinse pasta after draining to help sauce cling better. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Fresh basil adds a bright finish. Variations include vegan feta alternatives, adding protein like chickpeas or chicken, or swapping pasta for spiralized vegetables for low-carb options.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 15
Keywords: baked feta pasta, cherry tomatoes, easy dinner, creamy pasta, Mediterranean recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick pasta recipe