Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring roasted grape tomatoes and creamy baked feta cheese mixed with bow tie pasta. This simple, one-dish pasta recipe comes together easily in the oven, creating a luscious tomato feta sauce that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or casual dinner with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes, washed and dried
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Dairy
- 1 (8 oz) brick of feta cheese
Pantry
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked, drained, and kept warm
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the tomatoes and feta cheese, ensuring proper cooking temperature and time.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: In a large baking dish, place the washed grape tomatoes. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over them, then sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss the tomatoes gently to coat them evenly with the oil and seasonings.
- Add the Feta: Place the entire block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish among the tomatoes. Drizzle the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the feta to help it become soft and golden as it bakes.
- Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes until the tomatoes burst open and the feta turns soft and lightly browned, creating a creamy texture.
- Prepare the Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the bow tie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and keep it warm for combining later.
- Mash and Mix: Remove the baking dish from the oven once the tomatoes and feta are done. Using a fork, mash the feta cheese and burst the tomatoes to form a creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta directly into the baking dish with the feta-tomato sauce. Toss everything together gently to evenly coat the pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil, toss once more, and serve immediately. Garnish with extra basil if desired for added freshness and aroma.
Notes
- You can substitute grape tomatoes with cherry tomatoes if unavailable.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes before baking.
- Make sure to keep the pasta warm to ensure it incorporates well with the warm sauce.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for a larger crowd by using a bigger baking dish and more ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
