Let me introduce you to Baked Feta Pasta, the global culinary sensation! This recipe is an explosion of flavors that will have you desiring more thanks to its irresistible blend of creamy feta cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant garlic. What’s the best part? It only needs a few simple ingredients and a short baking period, making it exceedingly simple to prepare.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, Baked Feta Pasta promises to dazzle your taste buds and impress your guests with its simple yet irresistibly attractive appeal.
Easy Weeknight Wonder
Funny Facts
In 2019, Finnish food blogger Jenni Häyrinen first introduced the world to the delightful phenomenon of Baked Feta Pasta on her blog.
Little did she know that her creation would take the internet by storm in 2021, becoming a viral sensation on social media platforms.
The simple yet irresistible combination of creamy feta cheese, bursting cherry tomatoes, and aromatic garlic captured the hearts and taste buds of people worldwide.
As feta blocks and cherry tomatoes found themselves thrust into the spotlight, this once humble recipe turned into an overnight sensation, leaving the culinary world in awe.
Baked Feta Pasta’s journey to fame continued as TikTok and Instagram users shared their own interpretations, leading to an explosion of unique twists and variations on the original recipe.
From grandmothers to college students, everyone wanted to recreate this mouthwatering dish that promised big flavors with minimal effort.
What Is So Special About This Recipe
Baked Feta Pasta stands out for several reasons, making it special and unique:
Creamy Feta Sauce: When baked with tomatoes and olive oil, feta cheese magically transforms into a creamy, delectable sauce. The mixture that results is wonderfully tasty and rich.
Quick Preparation: You can have a restaurant-worthy pasta dish ready on your table in just 30–40 minutes. It’s a fantastic choice for busy people or last-minute gatherings.
Versatility: Baked Feta Pasta is quite adaptable, despite the fact that the base dish is excellent on its own. Depending on your taste, you can add other ingredients like olives, spinach, or roasted veggies.
Global Community: Because Baked Feta Pasta went viral, home chefs and food lovers from all over the world have come together to share their own adaptations of the recipe.
Low-Fuss Cooking: The Baked Feta Pasta just requires one pan, which reduces cleanup time and makes it simple.
Simple Substitutions
Gluten-Free Pasta: If you need a gluten-free option, replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, quinoa, or other gluten-free grains.
Oil-Free: If you prefer an oil-free version, you can omit or reduce the amount of olive oil used in the recipe. Instead, use vegetable broth, water, or a combination of both to sauté the garlic and tomatoes.
Low-Carb: For a low-carb version, you can replace the pasta with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or shirataki noodles.
Herb Alternatives: If you can’t find fresh basil, you can use dried basil or other fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or chives for garnishing.
Feta Fusion
Pro Tips
Use good quality feta cheese for the best results. Greek or Danish feta, which is typically sold in blocks, works well in this recipe. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, as it may not melt and blend as smoothly.
Cherry tomatoes are the traditional tomato choice for this dish because of their sweetness and juicy texture. However, you can also experiment with different tomato varieties. For a novel twist, try adding grape tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes.
Roast the garlic cloves with the feta and tomatoes for a milder garlic flavor. After baking, you can add freshly minced garlic to the spaghetti if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor.
Choose a baking dish or ovenproof skillet that allows the feta and tomatoes to spread out in a single layer without overcrowding. This helps ensure even cooking and better sauce consistency.
If the sauce is too thick after combining the pasta, feta, and tomatoes, add a little of the cooking water to the pasta to help thin it down. The starchy water will contribute to the texture becoming creamier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To keep the feta from drying out, ensure that the cheese is surrounded by cherry tomatoes and olive oil, which helps to maintain moisture. You can also cover the baking dish with foil during the first part of baking if needed.
While the sauce is best when freshly baked, you can prepare the feta-tomato mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it with the pasta. Just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly.
The dish is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well. Freezing can cause the texture and flavors to change, resulting in a less desirable dish.
Store any leftover Baked Feta Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic
Simple Ingredients
- Pasta
- Feta cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Basil leaves
- Black pepper
(scroll down for recipe details.)
Must-Try Recipes
- Best Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipe
- 10 Minute Cream Cheese Pasta
- Easy Kid-Friendly Pasta Sauce
- Easiest Pasta Dishes
- Gigi Hadid Viral Pasta Recipe
- Creamy Salmon and Asparagus Pasta
- Béchamel Pasta Bake (Macarona Béchamel)
- Cucumber Avocado Salad Recipe
- Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Feta Dip with Zaatar
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (225 g)
- 8 ounces block feta cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper for garnish
- ¼ cup packed chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 ℉. Put the cherry tomatoes in an oven-safe baking dish. Add salt and pepper and drizzle the olive oil on top. Toss until well combined.
- In the center of the baking dish, surrounded by the cherry tomatoes, place the feta block. Flip it over once or twice to evenly distribute the seasoning and oil.
- Bake for 35 minutes in a preheated oven, or until the cherry tomatoes burst and the feta cheese melts.
- Cook the pasta in a saucepan of salted water according to the package directions until al dente while the tomatoes and feta are baking. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid in case you want to add it later.
- Toss the cooked tomatoes, feta, and fresh basil together right away after adding the garlic and basil leaves.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Serve warm and garnish with extra fresh basil.
Notes
- Use good quality feta cheese for the best results. Greek or Danish feta, which are typically sold in blocks, work well in this recipe. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, as it may not melt and blend as smoothly.
- Cherry tomatoes are the traditional tomato choice for this dish because of their sweetness and juicy texture. However, you can also experiment with different tomato varieties. For a novel twist, try adding grape tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes.
- Roast the garlic cloves with the feta and tomatoes for a milder garlic flavor. After baking, you can add freshly minced garlic to the spaghetti if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor.
- Choose a baking dish or ovenproof skillet that allows the feta and tomatoes to spread out in a single layer without overcrowding. This helps ensure even cooking and better sauce consistency.
Leave a Reply