Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

$- 200g (7 oz) feta cheese, preferably block-style - 300g (10.5 oz) penne pasta - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste) - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving You need fresh ingredients for the best taste. Start with block-style feta cheese. It melts beautifully and gives a creamy texture. Make sure to grab a good quality penne pasta. This shape holds the sauce well. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. I love using halved ones for a burst of flavor. Extra virgin olive oil helps with roasting. It also adds a rich taste to the dish. Fresh garlic gives a nice kick. Don't skip it! Dried oregano adds an aromatic flavor. Red pepper flakes give a hint of heat. Adjust this to your taste. Salt and black pepper are key for seasoning. Always taste as you go. For a fresh finish, have basil leaves ready. They add color and flavor when you serve. Finally, freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes everything even better. It adds a salty, nutty note that completes the dish. With these ingredients, you are set for a creamy baked feta pasta that will impress everyone! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key for a perfect bake. Next, grab a large baking dish. In it, mix together 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Add in 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well so each tomato gets coated in that flavorful mix. Now, make a small nest in the middle of the dish. Place the block of feta cheese right in that nest. Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the feta. This adds richness to the dish. Bake everything in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. You want the feta to soften and the tomatoes to burst and caramelize. While your feta and tomatoes bake, fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add 300g (10.5 oz) of penne pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This means it should have a slight bite to it. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside. When the baking time is up, take your dish out of the oven. Use a fork to gently mash the baked feta and tomatoes together. This will form a creamy sauce. Then, add the cooked penne pasta to the baking dish. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. Taste it and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. To get that smooth, creamy sauce, mash the baked feta and tomatoes well. Use a fork to blend them together. This will help make a rich sauce that coats the pasta. Taste the sauce before serving. You may want to add more salt or pepper. If it feels too thick, drizzle in a bit more olive oil for extra creaminess. Baked feta pasta pairs well with a fresh green salad. You can also serve it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. For a lovely touch, add fresh basil leaves on top. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a nice finish. Arrange the dish on a bright plate to make it pop visually. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley boost the dish’s taste. You can also add oregano for an extra kick. If you like heat, sprinkle in more red pepper flakes. For more texture, toss in some toasted pine nuts or olives. These add crunch and depth to every bite. Pro Tips Choose High-Quality Feta: Opt for block-style feta cheese for a creamier texture and richer flavor compared to crumbled feta. Add Fresh Herbs: Enhance the dish by incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or oregano in addition to the dried oregano for an aromatic boost. Don't Skip the Pasta Water: Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water before draining. Adding a little to the sauce can help adjust the consistency and flavor. Customize with Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the baking dish for extra nutrition and flavor. {{image_4}} You can switch out the feta cheese if you want. Cream cheese works well for a rich taste. Goat cheese adds a tangy flavor. You can even try ricotta for a lighter option. For pasta, penne is great, but farfalle or rotini are nice too. Each shape holds sauce in its own way. Want to boost the protein? Add grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp to your dish. Just cook them separately and toss them in at the end. If you prefer vegetarian options, try chickpeas or lentils. They give a good texture and protein boost without meat. You can change the flavor with fun twists. For a Mediterranean vibe, add olives or artichokes. If you like spice, mix in more red pepper flakes or some jalapeños. Seasonal veggies like zucchini or spinach make the dish vibrant and fresh. Toss them in with the tomatoes for a colorful meal. To keep your baked feta pasta fresh, place it in an airtight container. This helps prevent the dish from drying out. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you want to eat it again, reheat it gently. Use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, cover it to keep moisture in. Stir it occasionally to avoid hot spots. On the stovetop, add a splash of water or oil. This keeps the creamy texture smooth and tasty. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze this dish. Let it cool completely before packing it. Use a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Press out any air to avoid freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to two months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat it slowly in a pan or microwave. Add a little olive oil or water to keep it creamy. Enjoy your delicious meal again! Yes, you can use many types of pasta. Penne works well, but other shapes like fusilli or rotini are great too. These shapes hold onto the sauce nicely. If you want to try something fun, go for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Both options keep the dish tasty and enjoyable. You want the feta to be soft and creamy. It should look slightly golden on top. The tomatoes will burst and get juicy. If you poke the feta with a fork, it should give way easily. These signs mean it is ready for mixing into your pasta. Absolutely! To make it vegan, swap the feta for a plant-based cheese. Look for options that melt well, similar to feta. You can also skip the Parmesan cheese on top. Use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor instead. This way, you still get a creamy and delicious meal. This dish brings together rich flavors from simple ingredients: feta, tomatoes, and pasta. First, we heated the oven and prepared a yummy base. Then, baking the feta creates a creamy delight that blends with cooked penne. Our tips enhance flavors, while variations let you spice things up. Proper storage keeps leftovers tasty. Enjoy experimenting with ingredients and make this meal your own. Cooking should always be fun and flexible!$

Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

A delicious pasta dish featuring creamy feta cheese and roasted cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

200 g feta cheese, preferably block-style
300 g penne pasta
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
to taste salt
to taste freshly ground black pepper
for garnish fresh basil leaves
for serving freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it's ready for the baking process.
In a large baking dish, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure all the tomatoes are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
Create a small nest in the center of the dish and place the block of feta cheese right in the middle, surrounded by the seasoned tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the top of the feta for added richness.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the feta cheese softens and the tomatoes are bursting and caramelizing.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. After cooking, drain the pasta and set it aside.
When the baking time is complete, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Use a fork to gently mash the baked feta cheese and the tomatoes together, forming a creamy sauce.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the baking dish. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is well coated with the creamy feta-tomato sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt and pepper to your liking.
Serve the dish warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor, and finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.

Keyword baked, feta, pasta, tomatoes