A simple, creamy, and flavorful pasta dish made with baked feta, cherry tomatoes, and garlic. This viral recipe is easy to make and packed with Mediterranean flavors.
Author:Beth
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner, Pasta
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
8 oz (225g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
1 block (7-8 oz) feta cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the baking dish: In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Add cherry tomatoes around it. Sprinkle minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Drizzle everything with olive oil.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and golden.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
Mash & mix: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and tomatoes together to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. If needed, add reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce consistency.
Garnish & serve: Stir in fresh basil and lemon zest. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
You can use crumbled feta instead of a block, but a block melts better.
Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or roasted veggies for extra protein.
Try using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for dietary needs.