Creamy Baked Feta Pasta Delight

$- Feta cheese - Cherry tomatoes - Garlic - Olive oil - Pasta - Seasonings (red pepper flakes, salt, pepper) - Fresh basil and lemon Gather these ingredients to create your TikTok viral baked feta pasta. - Feta cheese: Use 200g of feta. It adds a creamy texture and salty flavor. - Cherry tomatoes: You need 400g. They will burst and add sweetness. - Garlic: Use 3 cloves, minced. Garlic brings aroma and depth. - Olive oil: Measure 3 tablespoons. This keeps everything moist while baking. - Pasta: Choose 300g of your favorite shape. It will mix well with the sauce. - Seasonings: Add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, plus salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the spice to your liking. - Fresh basil: Use leaves for garnish. They brighten the dish. - Lemon: Add zest and juice from 1 lemon. It lifts the flavors. With these items, you can make a dish that is cheesy, savory, and full of flavor. Enjoy cooking! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key to getting your dish ready for baking. While the oven heats, grab a sturdy oven-proof skillet or a baking dish. Next, combine 400g of cherry tomatoes and 3 minced garlic cloves in the dish. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over them. Season your mix with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Gently stir everything together. Now, create a small well in the center of the tomatoes. Place a block of 200g feta cheese right in that well. Drizzle a bit more olive oil on top of the feta. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance its flavor. Carefully place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the tomatoes are blistered and juicy, and the feta is soft and slightly golden. While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 300g of your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. You want to aim for al dente, which means it should still have a nice bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside while the feta and tomatoes finish baking. After 25 to 30 minutes, take the baked dish out of the oven. Be careful; it will be hot! Use a spoon or spatula to gently stir the tomatoes and melted feta together. This will create a creamy sauce. Now, add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. For extra flavor, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. To get the best flavor, bake your feta and tomatoes for 25 to 30 minutes. Look for blistered tomatoes and a soft, golden feta. This step is key for a creamy sauce. When it comes to pasta, choose shapes that hold sauce well, like penne or rotini. These shapes scoop up the creamy sauce, making each bite full of flavor. You can add extra ingredients for a twist. Try spinach, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes. These will give your dish more depth. If you like spice, add more red pepper flakes. Start small, then taste and adjust. This way, you control the heat level. Adding lemon juice and zest brightens the dish too. It adds a fresh, zesty kick that balances the creaminess. Pro Tips Use High-Quality Feta: Opt for a good quality feta cheese for the best flavor. A creamy, rich feta can elevate the dish significantly. Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in other vegetables like spinach or zucchini to increase the nutritional value and add more flavor. Experiment with Pasta Shapes: Different pasta shapes can change the texture and presentation of the dish. Try using penne, fusilli, or farfalle for variety. Make It Ahead: You can prepare the feta and tomato mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just bake it fresh when you're ready to serve! {{image_4}} You can change up the cheese for fun. If you want a milder flavor, try using goat cheese. It melts nicely and adds a tangy taste. For a creamier sauce, use ricotta cheese. Just add it at the end and mix it in. You can even add a splash of heavy cream for extra richness. This will make your sauce smooth and dreamy. Making this dish fit your diet is easy. For vegetarians, you can keep the feta cheese. If you are vegan, swap the feta for tofu. Press the tofu to remove water, then season it well. You can also use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. For the pasta, choose whole grain or legume-based options for more nutrients. Make this pasta shine with seasonal veggies. In spring, add asparagus or peas. In summer, toss in zucchini or bell peppers. In fall, roasted butternut squash fits perfectly. Fresh herbs can also elevate the dish. Basil is great in summer, while thyme works well in winter. Just chop them up and stir them in right before serving. After enjoying your baked feta pasta, you may have some leftovers. To keep them fresh, store the pasta in an airtight container. Make sure it cools down first to avoid steam buildup. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is simple. The best method is to use the stovetop. Add a splash of water or olive oil to the pan. Heat on low to keep it moist. Stir often to avoid sticking or burning. You can also use the microwave, but cover the dish with a damp paper towel. This helps trap moisture and keeps the pasta from drying out. Enjoy your creamy pasta just like the first time! What is the origin of baked feta pasta? Baked feta pasta started in Finland. A home cook made it and shared it on social media. The dish went viral quickly. It became popular worldwide for its creamy texture and flavor. Can I freeze baked feta pasta? Yes, you can freeze baked feta pasta. But, it’s best to store it without the pasta. Freeze the sauce and pasta separately. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy. When you want to eat it, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat on the stove with a splash of water for best results. How do I make baked feta pasta spicy? To add spice, use red pepper flakes. Add one teaspoon to the tomatoes before baking. You can also add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce. Adjust the amount to your heat level. What pasta shapes work best for this recipe? You can use any pasta shape you like. Bowtie, penne, or rotini work well. These shapes hold the sauce nicely. Short pasta shapes are great for this dish, as they mix well with the creamy sauce. Baked feta pasta is simple and delicious. We covered the key ingredients like feta, garlic, and fresh basil. I shared steps from prepping the oven to stirring the pasta. You learned valuable tips for choosing pasta and enhancing flavors. Remember, feel free to adapt this recipe. It’s fun to experiment with different cheeses and veggies. Enjoy your tasty dish, and make it your own!$

Creamy Baked Feta Pasta Delight

A delicious pasta dish featuring creamy baked feta and juicy cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

200 g feta cheese
400 g cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
300 g pasta (your choice of shape)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
to taste Salt and pepper
for garnish Fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
In a sturdy oven-proof skillet or a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes and minced garlic. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the mixture, and season generously with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Gently stir everything together to ensure the tomatoes are well coated.
Create a small well in the center of the tomatoes, then place the feta cheese block right in the middle. Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the feta and season it with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance its flavor.
Carefully place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it's ready when the tomatoes are blistered and juicy, and the feta is soft and slightly golden on top.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
After 25 to 30 minutes, take the baked dish out of the oven. Be cautious as it will be hot! Using a spoon or spatula, gently stir the tomatoes and the melted feta together to create a creamy sauce.
Now, add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta is thoroughly coated in the rich sauce. To brighten the flavors, stir in the lemon juice and zest.
Give the dish a taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves to add a pop of color and freshness to your dish.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes.

Keyword baked, creamy, feta, pasta, tomatoes