Creamy Baked Feta Pasta Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A simple and cozy baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil that creates a creamy, comforting sauce using just a handful of ingredients and oven magic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g (7 oz) block of feta cheese
- 400g (14 oz) cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 240g (8.5 oz) penne or fusilli pasta
- A handful (10-15 leaves) fresh basil
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
- Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the block of feta in the center of an oven-safe baking dish. Pour the cherry tomatoes around the feta, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. If using, sprinkle red pepper flakes or minced garlic over the top. Toss gently to coat the tomatoes without breaking up the feta.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until tomatoes burst and soften, and feta is golden and melty on the edges.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Drain, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Gently mash the roasted feta and tomatoes together until creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the dish and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
- Tear basil leaves and sprinkle over the pasta. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately, optionally drizzling with olive oil or extra basil leaves.
Notes
Use a block of feta cheese for best melting results instead of crumbled feta. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce creaminess. Avoid over-roasting tomatoes to keep texture contrast. Fresh basil should be added at the end to preserve flavor. Soaking feta in water for 10 minutes before baking can help soften it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomatoes, basil, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, vegetarian pasta, oven-baked pasta