Description
This Masterclass Baked Feta Pasta transforms creamy baked feta, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil into a luxurious pasta sauce. Simple to prepare yet packed with Mediterranean flavor, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block (200g) Greek feta cheese
- 500g cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced or smashed
- 60ml extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- A pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 300g dried short pasta (Rigatoni, Cavatappi, or Penne)
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Add the cherry tomatoes and garlic to a large baking dish.
- Drizzle with 45ml olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Place the feta block in the center of the baking dish.
- Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the feta.
- Sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven.
- Mash the roasted tomatoes and feta together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and fresh basil.
- Toss well, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce becomes silky and coats the pasta.
- Serve immediately with extra basil if desired.
Notes
Use authentic Greek feta packed in brine for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. The reserved pasta water helps emulsify the sauce, creating a silky finish that perfectly coats every piece of pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 40mg