Description
A simple, creamy pasta dish made by baking a block of feta and cherry tomatoes until golden and jammy, then mashing them together with hot pasta and fresh basil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block (approx. 250g / 9oz) feta cheese (solid block in brine)
- 700g (1.5 lbs) cherry tomatoes
- 400g (1 pound) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or ziti)
- 1 bunch fresh basil (30–40 leaves)
- 3–4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the block of feta in the center of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Scatter cherry tomatoes around the feta. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until tomatoes are burst and jammy, and feta is golden brown.
- While baking, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Remove baking dish from oven. Add fresh basil leaves on top.
- Mash the feta and tomatoes together with a large spoon until a chunky, creamy sauce forms.
- Add drained pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine.
- Add reserved pasta water gradually until the sauce coats the pasta nicely.
- Serve immediately with extra black pepper or olive oil if desired.
Notes
Use a solid block of feta in brine, not crumbled feta, for the best creamy texture. Do not skip the reserved pasta water, as it helps bind the sauce. Mash the feta and tomatoes while they are still hot for the smoothest consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 20
Keywords: baked feta pasta, viral recipe, easy dinner, 5 ingredient recipe, pasta, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, quick meals, weeknight dinner