Description
This easy and flavorful Pasta with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes recipe features baked feta cheese blended into a creamy sauce with burst cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. A perfect Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian main course that’s both simple and delicious, ideal for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 block (8 ounces) feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, arrange the cherry tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese in the center. Drizzle olive oil over everything and sprinkle with minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Gently toss the tomatoes to coat them evenly without moving the feta cheese from the center.
- Bake the Feta and Tomatoes: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta cheese is golden on top and soft in texture, creating a creamy bake.
- Cook the Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve half a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine the Sauce and Pasta: Remove the baking dish from the oven and use a spoon to mash the feta and softened tomatoes, mixing to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta directly into the baking dish and toss everything together. Gradually add the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency to your liking.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the fresh chopped basil and lemon zest if using for added brightness. Serve the pasta warm, optionally garnished with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- For additional protein, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free dish.
- This pasta dish is best served fresh but can be reheated gently with a splash of water or milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
