Save to Pinterest A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring creamy baked feta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny olives, all tossed with al dente pasta for a simple yet irresistible meal.
I first made this recipe on a weeknight and was amazed by how quickly it came together and how delicious it was.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g halved
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Short pasta: 300 g (e.g., penne fusilli or rigatoni)
- Kalamata olives: 100 g pitted halved
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): 1/2 tsp
- Fresh basil leaves: to serve
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F)
- Arrange ingredients:
- Place the feta block in the center of a baking dish and surround it with cherry tomatoes and olives
- Add seasoning:
- Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle minced garlic oregano and crushed red pepper flakes if using Season with salt and pepper
- Bake:
- Cook for 25 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and soft
- Cook pasta:
- Meanwhile boil salted water cook pasta until al dente Reserve half a cup pasta water then drain
- Mash sauce:
- Remove dish from oven mash feta and tomatoes to create creamy sauce
- Toss pasta:
- Add pasta to sauce tossing to coat Add reserved pasta water if needed
- Garnish and serve:
- Top with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately
Save to Pinterest This dish quickly became a family favorite for busy weeknights and casual dinners together.
Notes
Try adding baby spinach or arugula for extra greens Use gluten-free pasta if preferred Excellent with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or dry rosé
Required Tools
Baking dish Large pot Colander Mixing spoon or fork Chefs knife and cutting board
Nutritional Information
Per serving Calories 480 Total Fat 19 g Carbohydrates 56 g Protein 17 g
Save to Pinterest This baked feta pasta is both comforting and elegant a perfect dish to impress with minimal effort.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the feta from drying out during baking?
Baking the block of feta surrounded by juicy cherry tomatoes and olives keeps it moist and creamy as the vegetables release juices that blend into the sauce.
- → Can I use other types of pasta for this dish?
Yes, short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work best as they hold the baked feta sauce well.
- → What can I add for more greens in this dish?
Adding baby spinach or arugula after mixing the pasta adds freshness and a nutritional boost without overpowering flavors.
- → How do I achieve a silky sauce consistency?
Reserve some pasta cooking water to stir into the feta-tomato mixture. This helps loosen and smooth the sauce for perfect coating.
- → Is it possible to make this meal gluten-free?
Simply substitute regular pasta with gluten-free varieties to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing taste.