Description
Mediterranean magic unfolds with this baked feta pasta, where creamy cheese melts into sweet roasted tomatoes. Simple ingredients create a luxurious dish that transports you straight to Greece’s sun-drenched coastline.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
- 1 block (7-8 ounces) feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a robust 400F (200C), ensuring an optimal cooking environment for the vibrant ingredients.
- Artfully arrange the feta block as the centerpiece in a spacious baking dish, surrounding it with glistening cherry tomatoes. Liberally scatter minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper across the tomato landscape. Drizzle a generous stream of olive oil to enhance the flavors.
- Slide the dish into the heated oven and allow it to roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes, watching as the tomatoes transform into burst treasures and the feta softens into a golden-edged delicacy.
- While the dish roasts, prepare the pasta in boiling water according to package guidance. Before draining, carefully extract a portion of the starchy cooking liquid, setting it aside as a potential sauce enhancer.
- Extract the baking dish from the oven and tenderly crush the roasted feta and tomatoes into a luscious, creamy sauce. Introduce the cooked pasta, folding and mixing thoroughly. If the sauce seems dense, integrate reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, perfect consistency.
- Elevate the dish’s freshness by incorporating torn basil leaves and delicate lemon zest. Serve immediately, allowing the harmonious blend of Mediterranean flavors to captivate your palate.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Choose a high-quality block of feta for the best creamy texture and rich flavor that melts beautifully in the dish.
- Tomato Ripeness Tip: Use ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes at peak season to enhance the natural sweetness and create a more vibrant sauce.
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness, making the dish mild for kids or extra zesty for heat lovers.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg