Oh, the simplicity of a dish can be its greatest charm, like a melody that lingers in the air long after the music has stopped. This easy baked feta pasta, with its burst of cherry tomatoes—practically singing with flavor—feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening. I once made this on a whim during a Netflix binge, and the creamy, tangy goodness made me forget the plot entirely.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a medium baking dish, combine cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered shallot, and smashed garlic cloves. Pour most of the olive oil over the ingredients, season with salt and red pepper flakes, and mix well to coat.
- Place a block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Add fresh thyme sprigs on top of the tomatoes for flavor.
- Bake the dish for 40 to 45 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta becomes golden and creamy. While the dish bakes, cook your pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until it is al dente.
- Reserve half a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Once the baking dish is done, remove the thyme sprigs and add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water.
- Stir everything together, incorporating lemon zest if desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for added freshness and flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 shallot, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (8-ounce) block feta
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 10 ounces pasta
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
FAQ
- Can I use different types of tomatoes for the baked feta pasta?
- While the recipe suggests using cherry or grape tomatoes because of their ideal pulp-to-juice ratio, you can experiment with other types. Cherry tomatoes are preferred as they burst and become jammy more readily, but feel free to try others if that’s what you have on hand.
- What can I substitute for shallots in the recipe?
- If shallots aren’t available, you can use an equal amount of diced red onion. It will provide a similar mild and sweet flavor that complements the tomatoes well.
- Is there a way to make the dish spicier?
- Absolutely! You can add more crushed red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture before baking if you like a bit of heat. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste preferences.
- What if I don’t like feta cheese?
- If feta isn’t your cheese of choice, you can substitute it with other cheeses like goat cheese or brie. These alternatives still provide a creamy texture and rich flavor that pairs well with the roasted tomatoes.
- How do I ensure the sauce coats the pasta well?
- A great tip is to reserve some pasta water before draining the cooked pasta. Adding this starchy water to the dish helps the sauce bind to the pasta more smoothly and generously.
Tips
- For a more flavorful sauce, consider using two pints of cherry tomatoes instead of just one to enhance the overall taste and texture.
- When preparing the dish, ensure you reserve a bit of pasta water to mix into the final dish. This will help the sauce adhere better to the pasta, giving it a smoother finish.
- If you want to add a bit of kick, don’t hesitate to increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes for additional spice.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs or cheeses. Swap thyme for rosemary for an earthy flavor, or substitute the feta with goat cheese or brie for a different creamy texture.
Equipment
- viral baked feta pasta recipe, here are the main equipment items that you might need to purchase, which you can usually find on Amazon and might not already have at home:
- Medium (2-qt.) Baking Dish – If you don’t already own a suitable baking dish, you might need to purchase one. An ovenproof skillet or a 13″ x 9″ baking dish would also work.
- Lemon Zester – For zesting the lemon, if you choose to add it as an optional ingredient.
- Large Pot – For boiling pasta, though many homes might already have this.
- stocked kitchen.