A simple yet incredibly flavorful pasta dish that combines the creamy tanginess of baked feta with sweet roasted tomatoes for a meal that’s both effortless and impressive.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Baked Feta Pasta is a game-changer for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without a lot of effort. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work, you’ll create a creamy, flavor-packed pasta that tastes like it took much more time and skill. The combination of melted feta cheese and burst cherry tomatoes creates a luxurious sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly. Plus, this recipe has gone viral for a reason – it truly delivers on taste while being nearly foolproof!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Feta cheese is the star of this dish, providing a creamy, tangy base for the sauce when baked. Traditional Greek feta made from sheep’s milk offers the most authentic flavor, but any block-style feta works well. Avoid pre-crumbled feta as it doesn’t melt properly.
Cherry tomatoes bring sweetness and acidity to balance the rich feta. When roasted, they burst and release their juices, creating part of the sauce. You can substitute grape tomatoes or even diced regular tomatoes in a pinch.
Olive oil helps everything roast beautifully and contributes to the silky texture of the final sauce. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor impact.
Garlic adds aromatic depth to the dish. Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor, but pre-minced garlic from a jar works in a time crunch.
Dried oregano brings a classic Mediterranean flavor that complements both the cheese and tomatoes. If you don’t have oregano, dried basil or Italian seasoning blend work as alternatives.
Salt and black pepper are essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Kosher salt is preferred for its clean taste.
Pasta provides the perfect vehicle for the creamy sauce. Short shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle catch the sauce nicely, but any pasta you have on hand will work.
Fresh basil added at the end brings a bright, aromatic finish to the dish. The contrast between the warm pasta and fresh herb is what makes this dish special.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center and surround it with cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle olive oil over the cheese and tomatoes, making sure everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper evenly over the feta and tomatoes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the feta is soft and golden and the tomatoes are burst and slightly charred.
- While the feta mixture bakes, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Once the feta and tomatoes are done, immediately stir the mixture together while hot until it forms a creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss until every strand is coated with the creamy feta sauce.
- Garnish generously with torn fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe yields 4 generous servings, making it perfect for a family dinner or meal prep for a couple with leftovers. The entire dish comes together in about 35 minutes, with just 5 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time. Each serving contains approximately 410 calories, offering a satisfying meal that won’t break your calorie bank.
Variations
Protein Addition: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage for a protein boost.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in spinach, kale, or arugula right after mixing the hot pasta to wilt the greens gently.
Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes to the baking dish or stir in a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce to the finished pasta.
Lemon Brightness: Add lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving for a bright, citrusy twist.
Mediterranean Style: Include Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
Storage/Reheating
This Baked Feta Pasta stores remarkably well, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers. Once cooled, transfer any remaining pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For reheating, add a splash of water or olive oil to prevent the pasta from drying out. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until heated through. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a little liquid as needed to revive the creamy texture.
While freezing is possible, the texture of the sauce may change slightly upon thawing. If you choose to freeze, store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
While block feta is preferred for its melting properties, crumbled feta can work in a pinch. Try to press it together in the center of your baking dish to create a more cohesive mass that will melt similarly to a block.
What’s the best pasta shape to use for this recipe?
Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle work particularly well as they catch the sauce in their ridges and crevices. However, any pasta you have on hand, including spaghetti or linguine, will taste delicious.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Several brands make dairy-free feta alternatives that can be substituted. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor profile will remain similar. You could also try firm tofu seasoned with lemon juice and nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative.
Why did my sauce turn out dry?
This typically happens if the feta became too browned or if there wasn’t enough olive oil. Try adding a splash of reserved pasta water and a drizzle of olive oil to bring the sauce back to a creamy consistency.
Is this dish spicy?
The basic recipe isn’t spicy, but you can easily add heat with red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce according to your preference.
Can I make this ahead of time for a dinner party?
While best served fresh, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Bake the feta and tomatoes and cook the pasta separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Reheat the feta mixture in the oven until hot, then combine with reheated pasta just before serving.
What can I serve with Baked Feta Pasta?
A simple green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables make excellent accompaniments. The dish is quite filling on its own but pairs well with light sides.
My feta didn’t melt smoothly. What happened?
Different brands of feta have varying fat contents and additives that affect how they melt. Traditional Greek sheep’s milk feta tends to melt more smoothly than cow’s milk varieties. You can also try covering the dish with foil for the first 15 minutes to help the cheese melt more evenly.
Can I add vegetables to the baking dish?
Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus can be added to the baking dish along with the tomatoes. Just ensure they’re cut into pieces that will cook in the same time as the tomatoes.
How do I know when the feta is perfectly baked?
The feta is ready when it’s softened throughout and slightly golden on top. It should be easily mashable with a fork but not completely liquefied. This typically takes 25-30 minutes at 400°F.
Conclusion
Baked Feta Pasta exemplifies how simple ingredients, prepared thoughtfully, can create something truly extraordinary. This dish has captured the hearts of home cooks worldwide for good reason—it delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort. The combination of creamy, tangy feta with sweet roasted tomatoes creates a pasta sauce that tastes complex despite its straightforward preparation.
Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or looking to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe delivers consistently delicious results. The beauty of this dish lies not just in its taste, but in its adaptability—feel free to make it your own with additional herbs, vegetables, or proteins.
Give this Baked Feta Pasta a try, and it may just become a permanent fixture in your recipe rotation. Its simplicity, flavor, and crowd-pleasing nature make it a true modern classic.
Print
A creamy and delicious baked feta pasta recipe featuring tangy feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, ready in just 35 minutes.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 block feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese and surround with cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle olive oil over the cheese and tomatoes, and sprinkle with garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the feta is soft and golden.
- While the feta bakes, cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Once the feta mixture is done, stir it together until creamy.
- Toss the pasta with the feta sauce and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta.
- Use any type of pasta you prefer, such as penne or spaghetti.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
