Baked Feta Pasta

Imagine the irresistible aroma of roasted cherry tomatoes and creamy, melted feta cheese filling your kitchen as your Baked Feta Pasta bubbles away in the oven. This viral TikTok sensation became popular for good reason – it combines the tangy richness of baked feta with sweet, burst tomatoes to create a luxuriously silky sauce that coats every strand of pasta. The beauty lies in its simplicity: minimal prep work with maximum flavor impact. You’ll learn how to perfectly roast feta and tomatoes to create a dish that’s both impressive and incredibly easy to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Baked Feta Pasta will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation for countless reasons. First, the contrast between the creamy, slightly salty feta and the sweet, caramelized cherry tomatoes creates a flavor profile that’s both sophisticated and comforting. The texture is equally impressive – silky sauce punctuated by bursts of juicy tomatoes that pop in your mouth with each bite.

What makes this dish truly special is its impressive presentation despite requiring minimal effort. With just 10 minutes of prep time and virtually no technique required, you’ll create a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant. The oven does most of the work, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining, this Baked Feta Pasta delivers restaurant-quality results without demanding advanced cooking skills. It’s also endlessly customizable, allowing you to adjust ingredients based on what you have available or your dietary preferences.

Ingredients

For the perfect Baked Feta Pasta, you’ll need:

• 8 oz (225g) block of Greek feta cheese (traditional sheep’s milk feta delivers the best flavor)
• 2 pints (20 oz/570g) cherry or grape tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, or farfalle work well)
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (optional)

The quality of feta makes a significant difference – look for blocks packed in brine rather than pre-crumbled varieties, as they melt more beautifully. Cherry tomatoes provide the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity when roasted, creating the foundation of this simple yet luxurious sauce.

Pro Tips

Select the Right Feta: For authentic Baked Feta Pasta, use Greek feta made from sheep’s milk, which has the perfect creaminess and tanginess. Avoid pre-crumbled feta at all costs – it contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly. The block should be at least 8 oz to create enough sauce for the pasta.

Master the Tomato-to-Pasta Ratio: The magic of this dish happens when the tomatoes burst and release their juices. For the perfect sauce consistency, use approximately 2 pints of tomatoes for every 12 oz of pasta. Too few tomatoes will result in a dry dish, while too many will make it watery. Arrange them around the feta in a single layer to ensure even roasting.

Perfect Your Pasta Technique: Cook your pasta to al dente – about 1-2 minutes less than package directions suggest – since it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot feta-tomato mixture. Reserve at least ½ cup of pasta water before draining, as this starchy liquid is essential for creating a silky sauce that clings to every bite of your Baked Feta Pasta.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it’s heating, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and place the whole block of feta in the center. Rinse your cherry tomatoes and scatter them around the feta, making sure they’re in a single layer. Drizzle everything with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, ensuring the tomatoes and feta are well-coated. The oil isn’t just for flavor—it helps the tomatoes blister properly and prevents the feta from drying out.

Step 2: Season Generously
Sprinkle the thinly sliced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes evenly over the tomatoes and feta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasonings—they’ll infuse into the oil and create an aromatic base for your Baked Feta Pasta sauce. Give everything a gentle toss to distribute the seasonings, keeping the feta centered.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and develop a slight char, and the feta becomes soft and golden on top. You’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen fills with the mouthwatering aroma of roasted tomatoes and herbs, and the tomatoes have released their juices to create a sauce base.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water. This liquid gold will help bind your sauce and give it a silky texture.

Step 5: Create the Creamy Sauce
Remove the baking dish from the oven and immediately mash the softened feta and tomatoes together with a fork or wooden spoon. You’re looking for a creamy mixture with some texture from the tomatoes. If it seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice if using, which brightens the rich flavors of your Baked Feta Pasta.

Step 6: Combine and Serve
Add the drained pasta directly to the baking dish and toss until every strand is coated with the creamy feta-tomato sauce. If needed, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Finish by gently folding in the torn basil leaves, which will wilt slightly from the heat. Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the aromas are at their peak.

Variations

Mediterranean Baked Feta Pasta: Transform your Baked Feta Pasta into a Mediterranean feast by adding 1 cup of pitted Kalamata olives, ½ cup of artichoke hearts, and a sprinkle of za’atar seasoning before baking. After combining with pasta, fold in 2 cups of fresh baby spinach, which will wilt perfectly from the residual heat. Finish with extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon for an even brighter flavor profile that transports you straight to the Greek isles.

Protein-Packed Version: For a heartier meal, add either 1 pound of Italian sausage (browned separately and mixed in after baking) or 2 cups of chickpeas (added to the baking dish with the tomatoes). The sausage adds a savory depth while chickpeas offer a plant-based protein option that roasts beautifully alongside the tomatoes in your Baked Feta Pasta. Both variations maintain the dish’s simplicity while creating a complete one-dish meal.

Gluten-Free/Low-Carb Options: This versatile sauce works beautifully with gluten-free pasta, or transform it completely by replacing pasta with 4 cups of roasted cauliflower florets or 3 cups of spiralized zucchini noodles. For the zucchini option, don’t cook the “noodles” beforehand—simply toss them with the hot feta-tomato mixture, allowing them to warm and soften slightly while maintaining a pleasant texture in your reinvented Baked Feta Pasta.

Storage and Serving

Your Baked Feta Pasta can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it arguably even more delicious the next day. When reheating, add a splash of water or olive oil and warm gently on the stovetop or microwave until just heated through—overheating can cause the sauce to separate.

For an impressive presentation, serve this pasta in the baking dish it was prepared in, garnished with extra fresh basil and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil. Pair it with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to cut through the richness. For a complete meal, serve alongside crusty garlic bread perfect for sopping up any remaining sauce, or add grilled chicken or shrimp on top for protein.

For make-ahead convenience, you can prepare the tomato and feta mixture up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and then bake just before dinner. Just allow an extra 5-10 minutes of baking time if starting from cold.

FAQs

Can I use pre-crumbled feta for this dish?
For authentic Baked Feta Pasta, always use a block of feta rather than pre-crumbled. Pre-crumbled feta contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly into that creamy, luxurious sauce that makes this dish special.

My sauce seems too dry. How can I fix it?
If your sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The starchy pasta water helps create a silky texture that coats each piece of pasta perfectly.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the tomato and feta mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Bake it just before serving and cook the pasta fresh. Alternatively, fully prepare the Baked Feta Pasta and refrigerate for up to 4 days, though the texture is best when freshly made.

Which pasta shape works best for this recipe?
Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or farfalle work wonderfully as they catch the chunky sauce in their crevices. However, any pasta you prefer will work – even spaghetti or linguine can be delicious with this sauce.

Can I freeze leftovers?
While you can freeze Baked Feta Pasta for up to 3 months, the texture of the sauce may change slightly upon thawing. Reheat gently with a splash of water or cream to help restore creaminess.

Conclusion

This Baked Feta Pasta is comfort food at its finest — a brilliantly simple combination of ingredients that transform into something far greater than the sum of their parts. It’s the kind of dish that proves impressive cooking doesn’t require complicated techniques or lengthy ingredient lists. With just a handful of quality ingredients and minimal effort, you’ve created a dish that balances creamy richness with bright, fresh flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or entertaining friends, this pasta delivers restaurant-worthy results that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

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