Description
A creamy, tangy, and sweet one-pot pasta dish that requires minimal effort and cleanup. This viral recipe combines roasted cherry tomatoes and a block of feta cheese to create a luxurious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (600g) cherry tomatoes
- 1 block (250g / 8.8 oz) feta cheese, preferably in brine
- 12 oz (350g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 3–4 tbsp (45-60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup (15g) fresh basil, torn
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Reserved pasta water (approx. 1 cup)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pour olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the whole block of feta in the center.
- Pour cherry tomatoes around the feta, filling gaps. Drizzle with remaining oil.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper over everything. Skip salt for now.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until tomatoes are burst and blistered, and feta is soft and slightly golden.
- While tomatoes roast, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Remove baking dish from oven. Vigorously mash the feta into the roasted tomatoes and oil.
- Add drained pasta to the dish. Pour in 1/4 cup reserved pasta water and toss to combine. Add more water if needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Tear fresh basil over the top and toss one final time.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not use crumbled feta; use a solid block for proper melting. Do not skip the reserved pasta water, as the starch helps emulsify the sauce. Mash the feta while it is still hot for the best texture. This dish does not freeze well.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
Keywords: viral baked feta pasta, one pot pasta, easy dinner, cherry tomato pasta, feta cheese recipe, quick meals, weeknight dinner