Description
A creamy and tangy pasta dish made with baked feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. This viral recipe is simple yet incredibly flavorful, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- For the pasta:
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
- For the sauce:
- 8 oz (225g) block of feta cheese
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, place the feta block in the center and surround it with cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, then sprinkle minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Remove baking dish from oven. Mash the feta and tomatoes together with a fork until creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil and oregano before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add roasted garlic or sun-dried tomatoes. Vegetarian-friendly as-is, but can be topped with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.