Name: Baked Feta Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 8 oz block feta cheese; 10 oz cherry tomatoes; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 8 oz pasta (such as penne or rotini); 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Get ready to add a new favorite to your recipe rotation: Baked Feta Pasta! This Mediterranean-inspired dish boasts a creamy, tangy cheese sauce made right in your oven, as sweet cherry tomatoes burst and mingle with aromatic garlic. Tossed together with al dente pasta and showered with fresh basil, every bite is bright, rich, and so satisfyingly simple. It’s no wonder Baked Feta Pasta became a viral sensation—the flavor is phenomenal and the effort couldn’t be easier.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Part of the magic of this Baked Feta Pasta is how it transforms a few simple, high-quality ingredients into an unforgettable meal. Here’s what you need and why each one matters for maximum flavor, texture, and color.

Feta Cheese Block: The star of the show, a block of feta melts beautifully and creates that ultra-creamy, tangy sauce.
Cherry Tomatoes: These add both juicy sweetness and a burst of color—roasting makes them irresistibly jammy.
Olive Oil: Rich olive oil helps everything roast up golden, while infusing the dish with Mediterranean warmth.
Garlic: Fresh garlic brings depth and aromatic flair—grating or mincing ensures it melts right into the sauce.
Salt: Enhances all the natural flavors without overpowering the delicate feta and tomatoes.
Black Pepper: Adds a gentle kick and balances out the creaminess of the dish.
Pasta (Penne or Rotini): Pasta gives the dish its heartiness and captures every bit of that luscious feta-tomato sauce.
Fresh Basil: Sprinkle plenty of basil for a pop of freshness and beautiful fragrance.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a little heat, add as much or as little as you like!

How to Make Baked Feta Pasta

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by heating the oven to 400°F. Then, take your 9×13-inch baking dish and place the block of feta right in the center. Nestle the cherry tomatoes all around it. This setup ensures your cheese gets melty and the tomatoes can roast evenly, getting nice and jammy on all sides.

Step 2: Season and Drizzle

Drizzle the olive oil generously over the feta and tomatoes. Sprinkle in your freshly minced garlic, as well as a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Make sure everything is seasoned well—this is the foundation of flavor for the whole Baked Feta Pasta.

Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly

Slide your dish into the oven and let it bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes have burst from their skins, releasing all their juices, and the feta is fragrant and just starting to turn golden at the edges. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

While everything is baking, cook your favorite pasta according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Don’t forget to reserve about 1/2 cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain—it’s a secret trick for creating a super-silky sauce later on.

Step 5: Create the Sauce

As soon as the baking dish comes out of the oven, use a fork to mash and mix the feta and roasted tomatoes together right in the pan. The cheese should melt into the juices, instantly forming a creamy, tangy, and rosy-pink sauce.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Add your cooked and drained pasta directly into the feta-tomato mixture. If you want it extra creamy, splash in a little reserved pasta water and stir until everything is beautifully coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—this is your moment to make it perfect.

Step 7: Finish with Freshness

Sprinkle plenty of fresh basil over the top, and if you like, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for pizzazz. Give everything a final toss and enjoy your Baked Feta Pasta while it’s warm and silky!

How to Serve Baked Feta Pasta

Garnishes

Finish your Baked Feta Pasta with a generous shower of fresh basil, a light drizzle of good olive oil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a hint of spice. You can also add a little extra cracked black pepper or even a few shaved Parmesan curls for a savory touch.

Side Dishes

This pasta sings alongside a crisp green salad tossed with lemony vinaigrette or a platter of grilled or roasted veggies. For an extra treat, warm up some crusty bread or garlic knots—you’ll want something to help scoop up every last bit of creamy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Baked Feta Pasta family-style in its baking dish for a rustic look, or plate each serving in individual pasta bowls garnished with basil sprigs. For an appetizer twist, try spooning the saucy pasta over toasted baguette slices or even stuff it into crispy bell pepper halves!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Baked Feta Pasta stores beautifully. Cool leftovers completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors meld even more as it sits, making for a delicious next-day lunch.

Freezing

For best results, it’s recommended to freeze just the feta-tomato sauce (before adding pasta). Place cooled sauce in a freezer-safe container, label it, and store for up to two months. When craving hits, thaw overnight and stir in freshly cooked pasta for that just-made texture.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm portioned pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also microwave individual servings, stirring every 30 seconds for even heating. Just be careful not to overcook, so the pasta stays tender.

FAQs

Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?

Absolutely! While a block of feta gives the creamiest results, crumbled feta works in a pinch. Just reduce the baking time by about five minutes, as smaller pieces soften more quickly.

What type Main Course

Short shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni work wonderfully—they have lots of nooks for the sauce to cling to. Feel free to use your favorite, even gluten-free pasta if needed!

Can I add protein or veggies to this dish?

Definitely! Stir in cooked chicken, sautéed spinach, or even roasted mushrooms for an extra layer of heartiness and flavor. This Baked Feta Pasta is easy to customize based on what you have on hand.

How do I make it less salty if my feta is very briny?

If you’re sensitive to saltiness, choose a milder feta or soak your feta block in water for 10 minutes before baking. You can also hold back on the added salt and adjust after tasting the finished sauce.

Can I make Baked Feta Pasta vegan?

Yes! Use a plant-based feta alternative and keep the rest of the recipe the same. Vegan feta brands do a surprisingly good job melting and coating the pasta just like the original.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a low-fuss, high-reward dinner that’s bursting with flavor, you have to give Baked Feta Pasta a try. It’s cozy, vibrant, and tastes like something from your favorite little Mediterranean cafe—yet it comes together with such little effort. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll see why everyone can’t stop talking about it!

Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Baked Feta Pasta recipe has taken the internet by storm for its simplicity and incredible flavor. A block of feta cheese surrounded by cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil bakes to creamy perfection, then gets tossed with pasta and fresh basil.

Ingredients

Scale

Feta Pasta:

8 oz block feta cheese
10 oz cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

8 oz pasta (such as penne or rotini)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F.
Prepare baking dish: Place feta cheese block in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes around the feta and drizzle with olive oil. Season with garlic, salt, and pepper.
Bake: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta is softened.
Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Combine: Remove feta and tomatoes from the oven. Mash together to create a sauce. Stir in cooked pasta, adding pasta water if needed. Toss with basil and red pepper flakes.
Serve: Serve warm.