Creamy Baked Feta Pasta That You’ll Crave Every Week

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What is baked feta pasta?

Baked feta pasta is a viral Mediterranean dish that’s taken home kitchens by storm. This simple recipe combines whole feta cheese, sherry tomatoes, and pasta into one creamy, flavorful meal.

The magic happens in the oven. Cherry tomatoes burst and release their juices.  Feta cheese melts into a rich, tangy sauce. When you mx everything with pasta, you get restaurant quality results with minimal effort.

This easy baked feta pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. You need just 8 ingredients and about 40 minutes total time.

 

Why This Baked Feta Pasta Recipe Works

This recipe delivers on three key pints that make is special:

Simple ingredients: You probably have most items in your pantry already. No fancy shopping trips required.

Hands-off cooking: The oven does most of the work while you relax or prep other dishes.

Guaranteed results: The technique is foolproof. Even beginner cooks get perfect results every time.

 

 

Ingredients You’ll Need for this Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

• 1 block feta cheese (225g) – Use block feta and not crumbled
• 2 pints cherry tomatoes ( 450g) – any color works great
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1;3 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1’2 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz pasta – ( Penne, rigatoni or fusilli work best)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

 

Best Pasta Shapes for Baked Feta

Short pasta shapes work best for this recipe. They hold the creamy sauce perfectly:

Penne – Classic choice with ridge that catch sauce

Rigatoni – Large tubes perfect for chunky sauce

Fusilli – Spirals grab every bit of feta and tomato

Orecchiette – Little cups that hold the sauce beautifully

 

How to make Baked Feta Pasta Step by Step

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Heat oven to 200’C (400 ‘F). This high temperature helps tomatoes  caramelize and feta melt perfectly.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

• Place feta block in the center of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes around the feta. This setup ensures even cooking.

Step 3: Season and Oil Everything

• Drizzle olive oil over tomatoes and feta. Sprinkle with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Don’t mix yet, just distribute evenly.

Step 4: Bale Until Bubbly

• Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Tomatoes should burst and feta should be golden on top. The dish will smell amazing when it’s ready.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

• While vegetables bake, cook pasta the pasta according to your preference. Save 1 cup of pasta water before draining. You might need it later.

Step 6: Create the sauce

• Remove baking dish from oven. Use a fork to mash the soft feta and burst the tomatoes together. This creates your creamy base sauce.

Step 7: Combine Everything

• Add drained pasta to the baking dish. Toss everything together until pasta is coated. Add pasta water if sauce seem too thick.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

• Garnish with fresh basil leaves. serve immediately while hot and creamy.

 

Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Feta Pasta

Choose Quality Feta Cheese

Good feta cheese makes a huge difference in this recipe.

Look for:

• Block feta cheese in brine ( not pre crumble)
• Greek or Bulgarian feta for best flavor
• Creamy texture that melts well

Pick the Right Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are essential for this dish. They:

• Burst perfectly during baking
• Release concentrated flavor
• Stay intact while creating sauce
• Add beautiful color to the final dish

Don’t Skip the Pasta Water

Pasta water contains starch that helps bind the sauce. Save at least 1 cup before draining. Add it gradually if your sauce needs thinning.

Timing is Everything

Start your pasta when the feta has about 10 minutes left to bake. This ensures everything finishes at the same time.

Easy Baked Feta Pasta Variations

Mediterranean Baked Feta Pasta

Add these ingredients for extra Mediterranean flavor:

• 1/2 cup kalamata olives
• 2 tbsp capers
• Fresh Oregano instead of basil

Protein Packed Version

Make it more filling with:

• Cooke chicken breast , diced
• Italian sausage, crumbled and cooked
• White beans for vegetarian protein

Veggie – Loaded Option

Boost nutrition with:

• Baby spinach ( add in last 5 minutes)
• Zucchini, diced
• Bell peppers, sliced

Nutritional Information ( Per serving)

* Note the nutritional value may very depending on the ingredients used and if any ingredients were substituted

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 890 mg

Storing and Reheating Tips

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerate up to  3 days in covered container
• Pasta may absorb the sauce  – add spacls of olive oil when reheating
• Don’t freeze, the texture will change

Best Reheating Methods

Microwave: Heat in 30 seconds intervals, stirring between each

Stovetop: Add splash of water or olive oil, heat over medium – low heat

Oven: Cover with foil, heat at 200’C for 15 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crumbled feta instead of block feta?

Block feta works better because it melts more evenly. Crumbled feta can make the dish too salty and doesn’t create the same creamy texture.

What if I don’t have cherry tomatoes?

Regular tomatoes work but won’t burst thee same way. Cut them into large chunks and expect slightly different texture.

How do I know when the dish is done?

Tomatoes should be wrinkled and bursting. Feta should be softa and golden on top. The shole dish should smell fragrant.

Can I make this dairy free?

Yes! Use vegan feta cheese for dairy free version. The method used is the same.

Why is my sauce not creamy enough?

Make sure your feta s soft before mashing. Add pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.

Perfect Pairing for Baked Feta Pasta

This Mediterranean pasta pairs beautifully with:

• Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Crusty bread for sopping up extra auce
• Grilled vegetables like zucchini or eggplant
• Light white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc

Make Ahead Tips

You can prep this recipe partially ahead:

• Arrange tomatoes and feta in baking dish up to 4 hours ahead
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake
• Add 5 extra minutes to baking time if starting cold

Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Easy Dinner

This baked feta pasta recipe proves that simple ingredients can create extra ordinary meals. The combination of melted feta, burst tomatoes, and perfectly cooked pasta creates comfort food magic.

The best part? This recipe is practically foolproof. Even if you’re new to cooking, you’ll get restaurant quality results every time.

Try this easy baked feta pasta tonight. Your family will ask for it again and again. And with just 40 minutes from start to finish, it’s perfect for any night of the week.