Print

Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

creamy baked feta pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy 5-ingredient dinner featuring baked feta cheese and cherry tomatoes that creates a creamy, tangy sauce perfect for coating pasta. This comforting dish is perfect for busy weeknights and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) block of full-fat firm feta cheese
  • 2 cups (300 g) fresh cherry tomatoes
  • 8 ounces (225 g) penne or any short pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it warms up, gather your ingredients and prep them—mince the garlic, wash the cherry tomatoes, and tear the basil.
  2. Place the block of feta in the center of your oven-safe baking dish. Surround it with the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle everything generously with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle the minced garlic on top, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss the tomatoes gently so they’re coated but feta stays intact.
  3. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until tomatoes burst and soften, and the feta looks golden and slightly puffy.
  4. While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente (usually 1-2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water.
  5. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork or spoon to mash the feta and tomatoes together, forming a creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if you want a looser consistency.
  6. Toss the cooked pasta into the baking dish and stir everything well, coating the noodles with the sauce.
  7. Finish with fresh basil leaves and add a pinch of black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If feta is too firm to mash easily, let it rest a few minutes after baking to soften. Keep an eye on tomatoes while baking; tent with foil if they start to burn. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Use tubular or ridged pasta like penne or rigatoni for best sauce adherence. For dairy-free or gluten-free options, substitute feta and pasta accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomatoes, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, quick pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-dinner-idea/