Description
Mediterranean magic unfolds with viral Baked Feta Pasta, where creamy cheese melts into perfectly roasted tomatoes. Simple ingredients create an irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (280 grams) pasta of your choice
- 1 block feta cheese
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) cherry tomatoes
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400F (200C), preparing a baking dish for the vibrant ingredients.
- Position the whole feta block centrally in the ceramic or glass baking vessel.
- Arrange bright cherry tomatoes around the cheese, scattering minced garlic throughout the dish.
- Generously drizzle extra virgin olive oil across the ingredients, then sprinkle kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper evenly.
- Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, watching for the feta to soften and tomatoes to develop charred, blistered edges.
- Simultaneously, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package timing until perfectly al dente.
- Carefully extract the baking dish from the oven, using a fork or wooden spoon to vigorously crush the roasted tomatoes and creamy feta into a luxurious, rustic sauce.
- Transfer the drained pasta directly into the baking dish, thoroughly mixing to ensure each strand becomes coated with the molten cheese and caramelized tomato mixture.
- Finish the dish by scattering torn fresh basil leaves across the top, adding a burst of herbal brightness before serving immediately.
Notes
- Use high-quality, ripe cherry tomatoes for maximum flavor burst and natural sweetness that enhances the overall sauce.
- Choose block feta over crumbled to create a creamier, more luxurious sauce texture when baked and mashed.
- Experiment with herb variations like fresh thyme or oregano instead of basil to introduce different Mediterranean flavor profiles.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives by substituting feta with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese blocks for plant-based dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg