Save The first time I made baked feta pasta, I was skeptical that something so simple could taste this good. My kitchen filled with the most incredible aroma as the tomatoes burst and the feta turned golden in the oven. Now its the dish I make when I want comfort food without hours of effort. The way the creamy sauce coats every piece of pasta still feels like magic.
I served this at a casual dinner party last month, and my friend actually scraped her plate clean. The sun-dried tomatoes add this incredible depth that regular tomato dishes just dont have. Everyone kept asking how long it took to make, and I honestly laughed.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese: One block creates the creamiest sauce, and baking it transforms the texture completely
- Cherry tomatoes: They burst in the oven and release all their juices into the sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These pack an umami punch that elevates the whole dish
- Garlic: Thinly sliced so it roasts alongside everything else
- Red onion: Optional but adds sweetness and more texture
- Short pasta: The shapes catch all that creamy sauce in every bite
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Use the good stuff here since it carries so much flavor
- Dried oregano and basil: Classic Mediterranean herbs that bloom in the oven
- Red pepper flakes: Just a hint of heat if you like it
- Fresh basil: Tear it by hand for the most aromatic finish
- Parmesan: Optional but adds a salty, nutty finish
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare:
- Heat your oven to 200°C and grab your largest baking dish, something with high sides to hold all those juices.
- Prep the vegetables:
- Toss cherry tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sliced garlic, and onion with olive oil and all the dried herbs and spices until everything is coated.
- Place the feta:
- Nestle that block of feta right in the center and drizzle it with the last tablespoon of olive oil.
- Bake until bubbly:
- Let it roast for 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is golden on top.
- Cook the pasta:
- Boil your pasta in salted water, but dont forget to save half a cup of that starchy water before draining.
- Create the sauce:
- Mash the feta and tomatoes together right in the dish until they form the most incredible creamy sauce.
- Combine everything:
- Add the cooked pasta and that reserved pasta water to the baking dish and toss until every piece is coated.
- Finish with fresh basil:
- Stir in torn basil leaves, taste for seasoning, and serve with extra Parmesan if you want.
Save This recipe has become my go-to when friends need a pick-me-up dinner. Last week my neighbor dropped by unexpectedly, and I had everything ready in under an hour. Theres something about pulling that bubbling dish out of the oven that makes people feel taken care of.
Choosing the Right Feta
Brine-packed feta melts so much better than the vacuum-sealed stuff. I learned this after a few attempts where the cheese stayed rubbery instead of turning creamy. Greek or Bulgarian feta tends to be the creamiest option for this dish.
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I add Kalamata olives during the last 10 minutes of baking, or artichoke hearts if I want more Mediterranean flavors. A handful of spinach wilts beautifully into the hot pasta right before serving. The recipe is forgiving enough to handle whatever you crave.
Perfect Pairings
A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness perfectly. For a complete meal, serve with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Crusty bread is non-negotiable, even though the pasta is filling on its own.
- Let the dish rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well with a splash of water
- The flavors actually taste better the next day
Save Theres something so satisfying about a recipe that looks impressive but comes together with almost zero effort. This baked feta pasta proves that the best dinners dont have to be complicated.
Recipe Guide
- → What types of pasta work best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni hold the creamy sauce well, making them ideal choices.
- → Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried ones?
While fresh tomatoes add juiciness, sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated flavor and depth that complements the feta beautifully.
- → How can I make this dish vegan-friendly?
Substitute the feta with a plant-based alternative like vegan feta to maintain the creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- → Is it possible to prepare this in advance?
You can pre-chop ingredients and prepare the tomato and feta bake ahead, then combine with freshly cooked pasta before serving.
- → What herbs enhance the flavor profile of this dish?
Dried oregano and basil are baked in with the tomatoes, while fresh basil is stirred in at the end for vibrant aroma.
- → How do I adjust seasoning if the sauce is too tangy?
Balancing with a pinch of sugar or additional olive oil can mellow acidity while maintaining richness.