The Baked Feta Pasta is a viral sensation that combines roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and al dente pasta to create a simple yet flavorful dish. Popularized on TikTok, this recipe has become a favorite for its ease of preparation and delicious taste. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, it’s the perfect meal for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy gathering with friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless yet gourmet – Just a few simple ingredients create an incredibly rich and creamy pasta dish.
- One-pan wonder – The tomatoes and feta roast together, forming a delicious sauce with minimal effort.
- Customizable – Add your favorite ingredients like olives, roasted peppers, or fresh herbs for a personalized touch.
- Perfect for meal prep – Leftovers store well and can be easily reheated.
- Inspired by Mediterranean flavors – The feta, olive oil, and basil create a beautifully balanced dish.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Grape tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Block of feta cheese (preferably sheep’s milk)
- Dry pasta (penne, rotini, or another bite-sized shape)
- Garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- Spinach, roughly chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil, thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley, minced
Directions
Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Baking Dish
- In a 3-quart baking dish, combine the grape tomatoes and halved garlic cloves.
- Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and season with a few pinches of salt. Toss to coat evenly.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture, turning it to coat with oil.
Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and move the baking dish to the upper third of the oven.
- Continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, until the tomatoes and feta begin to brown slightly.
Cook Pasta
- While the tomatoes and feta are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Just before draining, add the chopped spinach to the pot with the pasta to wilt it.
- Drain the pasta and spinach together.
Combine
- Remove the baking dish from the oven.
- Using the back of a wooden spoon, smash the roasted tomatoes, garlic, and feta together until well combined.
- Add the cooked pasta and spinach to the baking dish, along with the reserved pasta water, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), fresh basil, and parsley.
- Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: Approximately 450 kcal per serving
Variations
- Add protein – Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked shrimp, for extra heartiness.
- Make it vegan – Use plant-based feta and swap in nutritional yeast for extra umami flavor.
- Spice it up – Add a pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika for a deeper flavor profile.
- Enhance the flavor – Mix in roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Lemon zest twist – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the dish beautifully.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture of the feta and tomatoes changes upon freezing.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
FAQs
Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
Yes, but a block of feta melts better and creates a creamier sauce. If using crumbled feta, choose a high-quality variety.
What type of pasta works best?
Short pasta like penne, rotini, or fusilli holds the sauce well, but you can use any pasta you prefer.
Can I add more veggies?
Absolutely! Zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or artichokes make great additions.
Is there a dairy-free option?
Yes! Use a plant-based feta substitute and replace the cheese with a touch of coconut cream or cashew sauce.
Why is my sauce too thick?
The reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce. Add more if needed while tossing the pasta.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the baked feta and tomato mixture ahead, store it in the fridge, and mix with fresh pasta when ready to serve.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free pasta to keep the dish gluten-free.
Does the type of feta matter?
For the best flavor, use sheep’s milk feta rather than cow’s milk feta, as it melts creamier.
What if I don’t have cherry tomatoes?
You can substitute with diced Roma tomatoes or canned fire-roasted tomatoes, but fresh cherry tomatoes work best for their sweetness.
Can I add a protein?
Yes! Grilled chicken, shrimp, make excellent additions.
Conclusion
Baked Feta Pasta is a testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create a comforting and satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress. With endless ways to customize, this viral sensation deserves a permanent place in your recipe collection. Try it today and enjoy a deliciously creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish with minimal effort!
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Baked Feta Pasta
This Baked Feta Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish made with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese, creating a luscious sauce that coats perfectly cooked pasta. Inspired by the viral TikTok recipe, this one-pan meal is effortless yet gourmet, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pints grape tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese (preferably sheep’s milk)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
- 10 oz dry pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare baking dish: In a 3-quart baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes and garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Add feta: Place the block of feta in the center of the tomatoes, flipping it to coat with oil.
- Bake: Roast for 30 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the feta is golden and tomatoes are blistered.
- Cook pasta: While baking, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Add chopped spinach to the pasta pot just before draining to wilt.
- Make the sauce: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Mash the feta, garlic, and tomatoes with a spoon to create a creamy sauce.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, red pepper flakes (if using), basil, and parsley to the baking dish. Toss until well coated.
- Serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Add protein: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked shrimp.
- Make it vegan: Use plant-based feta and swap in nutritional yeast for extra umami.
- Enhance the flavor: Add roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
