Save A festive, creamy pasta dish featuring oven-roasted feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a snowy sprinkle of grated Parmesan, perfect for a holiday table.
I first tried this dish at a holiday gathering and was amazed by how the feta melted into a luscious sauce that perfectly complemented the juicy tomatoes.
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese: 200 g 7 oz feta cheese block
- Parmesan Cheese: 60 g 2 oz, finely grated
- Cherry Tomatoes: 500 g 1 lb, mixed colors preferred
- Garlic: 3 cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- Red Onion: 1 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh Basil: leaves for garnish
- Short Pasta: 350 g 12 oz fusilli penne or rigatoni
- Olive Oil: 3 tbsp extra virgin
- Dried Oregano: 1 tsp
- Red Pepper Flakes: ½ tsp (optional)
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C 400°F.
- Step 2:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes, garlic, and onion if using around the feta.
- Step 3:
- Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper.
- Step 4:
- Bake for 25 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden at the edges.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water then drain the pasta.
- Step 6:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a large spoon gently mash and mix the feta with the tomatoes and garlic until creamy.
- Step 7:
- Add the hot pasta to the baking dish tossing everything together. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately topped with a generous snowfall of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
Save This dish brings everyone together around the table for a cozy holiday meal that warms both the heart and the belly.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or festive sparkling water for a refreshing contrast.
Allergen Information
Contains milk feta Parmesan and wheat pasta. Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability if required. For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta.
Required Tools
Oven-safe baking dish large pot strainer and mixing spoon.
Save This baked feta pasta is an effortless way to impress your guests with minimal cleanup.
Common Questions
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni hold the creamy sauce well and complement the baked feta and tomatoes perfectly.
- → Can I use a plant-based cheese alternative?
Yes, using plant-based feta and Parmesan alternatives can make the dish suitable for vegan diets while maintaining its creamy texture.
- → How do I achieve the perfect baked feta texture?
Bake the feta and cherry tomatoes until the cheese edges turn golden and the tomatoes burst, which takes about 25-30 minutes at 200°C (400°F).
- → Is it necessary to reserve pasta cooking water?
Reserving some pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency, making it silkier when combined with the baked feta mixture.
- → What herbs enhance the flavor of this dish?
Dried oregano is baked with the ingredients, while fresh basil added at the end provides a fragrant and bright finish.