If you have not yet tried the Baked Feta Pasta Recipe, prepare to be delighted by a creamy, tangy sauce bursting with juicy roasted cherry tomatoes and the savory bite of feta cheese. This dish has taken kitchens by storm and for good reason — it’s incredibly easy, requires minimal ingredients, yet delivers a rich, comforting flavor that feels both fresh and indulgent. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests with something effortlessly impressive, this pasta recipe will become a beloved staple in your culinary repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Baked Feta Pasta Recipe plays a crucial role without complicating your prep. Expect a vibrant combination of flavors and textures, from the creamy feta cheese to the burst of sweet cherry tomatoes and fragrant herbs that make every bite exciting.
- 8 ounces pasta: Choose your favorite type, such as penne or rigatoni, for perfect sauce cling.
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese: The star of the dish, providing a salty, creamy base for the sauce.
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness intensifies when roasted, balancing the feta’s tang.
- 1/4 cup olive oil: Adds richness and helps to roast the ingredients evenly.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Brings an earthy, slightly minty note that complements the cheese and tomatoes.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a gentle garlicky undertone without overpowering.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes: For a subtle kick that lifts the dish.
- Salt to taste: Enhances all the natural flavors — remember to season carefully since feta is already salty.
- Black pepper to taste: Adds a warm, peppery contrast to the creamy sauce.
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped: Fresh herbs bring brightness and a fragrant finish just before serving.
How to Make Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Getting the oven nice and hot is essential for roasting the feta and tomatoes to that melting, caramelized perfection that makes this dish so irresistible.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Salted water seasons the pasta from the inside out, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Add 8 ounces of your chosen pasta and cook it according to the package, usually about 8 to 10 minutes, until just al dente — firm but tender enough to soak up that creamy sauce later.
Step 3: Assemble the Baking Dish
Place the block of feta cheese right in the center of a baking dish. Rinse and halve a pint of cherry tomatoes, then scatter them evenly around the feta. This simple layout allows the tomatoes to roast alongside the feta, melding their flavors beautifully.
Step 4: Season and Drizzle
Drizzle 1/4 cup of olive oil evenly over the feta and tomatoes. Then sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. These spices infuse the ingredients during baking, enriching the sauce’s depth without any extra effort.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the feta is soft and golden around the edges and the tomatoes have burst, releasing their sweet juices that mingle into the sauce.
Step 6: Mash Into a Sauce
Remove the dish from the oven and use a spoon or fork to mash the softened feta and tomatoes together. The result? A luscious, creamy sauce that clings beautifully to every strand or piece of pasta.
Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water. This starchy water is a magic touch later to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss the pasta into the baking dish, stirring well to coat everything evenly in the cheesy tomato goodness.
Step 8: Add Fresh Basil and Serve
Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh basil and sprinkle it over the pasta. Give it one last gentle toss to incorporate the herbaceous aroma that truly finishes off this Baked Feta Pasta Recipe perfectly.
How to Serve Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your serving presentation with extra fresh basil leaves or a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil for shine and added flavor. For a bit of crunch, toasted pine nuts or freshly cracked black pepper make delightful toppings that add texture and elevate the dish visually and gastronomically.
Side Dishes
Pair this pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the creaminess, or serve alongside crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of the sauce. A grilled vegetable platter also complements the Mediterranean vibes of this baked feta pasta beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner party, serve the Baked Feta Pasta Recipe right from the baking dish, letting everyone dig in family-style. Alternatively, plate individual portions with a sprinkle of crumbled feta and a few whole roasted cherry tomatoes for a restaurant-worthy appearance. Adding edible flowers or microgreens can also bring a wow factor to your table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover baked feta pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors tend to meld even more overnight, making your second plate just as delicious, if not better!
Freezing
This recipe freezes well, too. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor retention.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or olive oil if the sauce has thickened too much. Stir frequently to maintain the creamy texture without drying out the pasta.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of feta?
Feta’s unique crumbly texture and briny flavor are key to the sauce, but you can experiment with goat cheese or ricotta for creaminess, though the taste will be milder.
What pasta shapes work best with this recipe?
Any shape that holds sauce well, such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini, works wonderfully here. Spaghetti or linguine are great if you prefer long strands, but chunkier pasta captures more of the luscious sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely! The baked feta pasta recipe contains no meat and is perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just substitute regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free version, and follow the recipe as usual. You won’t lose any of the great flavors!
How spicy is this dish with the red pepper flakes?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth without overwhelming the dish, but you can always adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Feta Pasta Recipe is an absolute game-changer in simple weeknight cooking — effortlessly stunning, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to impress anyone you serve it to. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become a beloved classic for good reason. So go ahead, gather these humble ingredients, pop them in the oven, and treat yourself to a pasta dish that’s as joyful to make as it is to eat.
Print
Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 30m
- Total Time: 0h 40m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful pasta dish made by roasting feta cheese and cherry tomatoes until soft and blending them into a luscious sauce. This easy-to-make recipe features simple ingredients baked together and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, fresh basil, and seasoning for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta
Baked Feta and Tomato Sauce
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed and halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop for cooking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add 8 ounces of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- Arrange Feta: Place an 8-ounce block of feta cheese in the center of a baking dish.
- Add Tomatoes: Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the feta cheese in the dish.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil evenly over the feta and tomatoes.
- Season: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano evenly over the ingredients.
- Add Spices: Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus salt and black pepper to taste, distributing evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the feta is soft and lightly golden around the edges.
- Mash Ingredients: Remove the dish from the oven and mash the softened feta and tomatoes together with a spoon or fork to create a creamy sauce.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish with the feta and tomato sauce.
- Toss Pasta: Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water if needed to loosen and combine the sauce.
- Add Basil: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil over the pasta.
- Final Toss: Give the pasta one final gentle toss to incorporate the basil evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your creamy, flavorful baked feta pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes or halved small Roma tomatoes if preferred.
- For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the dish gluten-free.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency when mixing.
- The dish is best enjoyed fresh immediately after preparation.
