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Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy baked feta pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes that creates a tangy, comforting sauce perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7 oz (200g) block of full-fat feta cheese
  • 2 cups (300g) fresh cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 12 oz (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of an oven-safe baking dish. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around it.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, then sprinkle minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and freshly cracked black pepper evenly on top.
  4. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until tomatoes are bursting and caramelized and feta is soft and slightly browned.
  5. While baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually 10-12 minutes). Drain, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and tomatoes together with a fork or spoon to create a creamy sauce.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
  8. Stir in torn fresh basil leaves and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, optionally topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Do not overbake the feta to avoid drying it out; it should be creamy and slightly golden. Use reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a silky sauce consistency. Fresh cherry tomatoes caramelize best when firm. For a dairy-free or vegan version, substitute feta with plant-based alternatives and use dairy-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, roasted cherry tomatoes, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-roasted-cherry-tomatoes-guide/