Inspired by the recipe that’s so popular it created a feta shortage in Finland! Baked Feta Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes is a simple yet an incredibly delicious meatless pasta dish. In it, Cherry tomatoes and a block of feta cheese are baked and mixed with fresh garlic, hot cooked pasta and fresh basil for a luxurious cream dish. This is a pasta dish anyone can make as it’s pretty much effortless and foolproof. Serves 4 to 6 in under an hour.
I usually don’t jump into trends, but when I do it’s because there’s cheese.
It all started when both of my daughters sent me a TikTok (@grilledcheesesocial). Cherry tomatoes, blocked feta plus a little olive oil, salt and pepper roast together and then are mixed with fresh garlic, hot pasta and fresh basil. The feta acts as the creamy sauce bringing this whole dish together. It was love at first sight and felt as if I could taste it through my phone screen.
Naturally, I immediately went out to buy the ingredients so my daughter Malloree and I could make it for lunch. I had to go to 3 different grocery stores just to find blocked feta. I’m not kidding, everyone wants to make this dish because it’s SO simple that it is selling out everywhere.
This is my spin on it.
To Make This Baked Feta Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes You Will Need:
- cherry tomatoes
- olive oil
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- onion powder
- red pepper flakes
- block feta cheese
- garlic
- pasta
- basil
- parmesan cheese
The feta is important. Find block feta, it’s usually in little bit of liquid. I have seen people use crumbled feta for this, but I personally wouldn’t.
Preheat your oven to 400℉ (or 200℃).
In a 9×9 or 8×8 baking dish, add 2 pints of cherry tomatoes.
Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Season with 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Toss to combine.
Place the block of feta into the center of the baking dish and drizzle with a little extra olive oil.
Season the feta with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Slip the pan into your preheated oven for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile bring a medium pot of water to boil. When your timer has 10 to 12 minutes on the clock, add in a tablespoon of fine sea salt and 8 ounces pasta. Stir and cook following the package directions until al dente.
Once roasted, the tomatoes should have burst and be caramelized in spots. The blocked fetas edges should also be golden and it all should smell amazing!
Sprinkle with 3 cloves minced fresh garlic.
And then mix to combine.
Press on the tomatoes as you go, incorporating their juiced with the olive oil, garlic and creamy feta.
Stir, stir, stir.
Next add in the hot cooked pasta and lots of chopped fresh basil.
Stir until incorporated.
Serve in a bowl topped with grated fresh parmesan cheese and crusty bread.
And wine. Always wine.
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Enjoy! And if you give this Baked Feta Pasta recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 32 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces feta cheese block
- 8 ounces short pasta, like farfalle or rotini
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoons basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (or 200℃).
- In an oven safe baking dish, add tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the onion powder, chili flakes and a pinch of kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to combine.
- Place the block of feta in the middle of the dish, surrounded by the tomatoes. Drizzle the feta with a little more olive oil and season with a small pinch of kosher salt and more black pepper.
- Bake on the middle rack for 35 minutes or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is browned aroudn the edges.
- Meanwhile bring a medium pot of water to a boil. When there is 10 to 12 mintues left on your timer, add in the sea salt and pasta. Follow the package directions, cooking your pasta to al dente.
- Once baked, use oven mitts to transfer the baking dish from the oven and to a trivet. Immediately add in the minced garlic. Stir, smashing the tomatoes and mixing everything in with the feta.
- Next add the drained cooked pasta and chopped fresh basil. Stir until combined.
- Serve with grated parmesan cheese and crusty bread.
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Just made this yummy pasta recipe!! My family couldn’t get enough of it!! Thanks, Amy
This sounds wonderful, but I am not a fan of feta. Is mozz or parm strong enough to work?
I haven’t tried it but those may not be creamy enough. Try goat cheese!
Gracias, me parece buenísima la receta