Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

The internet-famous Baked Feta Pasta is everything you’d hope for in a weeknight dinner—creamy, cheesy, bursting with sweet tomatoes, and ready in under an hour! Made with just a handful of fresh, vibrant ingredients, this dish became a viral sensation for good reason: it’s joyfully simple and downright delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Baked Feta Pasta is just how approachable the shopping list is. Each ingredient matters, bringing its own punch of flavor, texture, and color—so even with so few, you get an amazingly complex dish.

• Cavatappi Pasta (8 ounces): Its spirals hold onto the creamy feta-tomato sauce perfectly, but any pasta you love will do the trick.
• Cherry Tomatoes (2 pints): Roasted until bursting, they add juicy sweetness and vibrant color to every bite.
• Block Feta Cheese (8 ounces): The star! Choose a block instead of crumbles—its creamy texture melts into a dreamy sauce.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (½ cup): For luscious richness and that Mediterranean touch.
• Salt & Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon each): Essential for seasoning—simple but not to be skipped.
• Fresh Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Mixed in at the end for a punch of aromatic flavor without burning in the oven.
• Fresh Basil (¼ cup, chopped, plus more for serving): Torn basil offers herbaceous freshness and a pop of green that sets off the creamy sauce.

Variations

Baked Feta Pasta is the definition of flexible—feel free to play with flavors and pantry staples! Whether you’re tweaking for dietary needs or simply want to put your own twist on it, there are countless tasty options.

• Use Different Cheese: Try swapping feta for creamy goat cheese or a herbed ricotta for a milder, extra-luscious sauce.
• Go Gluten-Free: Just swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta—you’ll get all the silky sauce with none of the gluten.
• Add More Veggies: Toss in baby spinach, sliced zucchini, or bell peppers before baking for a veggie-packed version.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the olive oil for a subtle kick in every bite.

How to Make Baked Feta Pasta

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Baking Dish Ready

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a medium or large oven-safe dish—something spacious enough to let those tomatoes roast evenly and nestle the feta right in the center.

Step 2: Assemble the Tomato and Feta Base

Scatter the cherry tomatoes into your baking dish. Pour the olive oil on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss until every little tomato is glistening. Place the block of feta in the center, flipping it a couple times so it’s coated with the seasoned oil and surrounded by tomatoes. It should look like a delicious little feta island!

Step 3: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Slide the dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes have burst and released their juices, and the feta is tantalizingly soft and just starting to brown at the edges.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

While the tomatoes and feta are working their magic, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until just al dente. Don’t forget to reserve about ½ cup of the cooking water—this starchy liquid can help your sauce marry perfectly with the noodles.

Step 5: Finish the Sauce

When the baking dish comes out of the oven, immediately sprinkle in the minced garlic and fresh basil. The residual heat will mellow the garlic without burning it, giving you bold flavor without sharpness.

Step 6: Toss It All Together

Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and gently toss everything together, letting the creamy feta sauce coat every noodle. If it seems a bit thick, add some pasta water, a splash at a time, until you find your perfect consistency. Top with more fresh basil—and get ready for compliments!

How to Serve Baked Feta Pasta

Garnishes

Finish the dish with a flourish of fresh basil leaves, maybe a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, or even a dribble of extra virgin olive oil for added sheen. If you’re feeling fancy, a pinch of lemon zest or a handful of toasted pine nuts adds zing and crunch!

Side Dishes

Baked Feta Pasta pairs fabulously with a crisp green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette or a platter of roasted vegetables. And don’t forget the bread—crusty sourdough or garlic knots are pure perfection for mopping up every drop of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping dinner party, serve Baked Feta Pasta straight from the baking dish, family-style. Or, spoon individual servings into shallow bowls, top each with a basil sprig and a swirl of olive oil for restaurant-worthy plating. Leftovers make a delicious pasta salad—just serve chilled with extra basil!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover Baked Feta Pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen, making tomorrow’s lunch almost as exciting as dinner was!

Freezing

While you can technically freeze Baked Feta Pasta, the feta sauce may lose some of its creaminess when thawed. If you do freeze it, store in a freezer-safe container and reheat gently with a splash of milk or water to bring back that silky texture.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pop a portion into the microwave or warm gently on the stovetop. Add a dash of water or olive oil before heating to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something outrageously delicious with minimal effort, Baked Feta Pasta is sure to become your new obsession. I hope you give it a try—be prepared for everyone at your table to ask for seconds!

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