Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil is a wildly popular, ultra-creamy, oven-roasted pasta dish that combines the tang of feta with the sweetness of tomatoes and the freshness of basil for a quick and irresistible meal. Born from a viral trend and rooted in Mediterranean ingredients, it’s a versatile, flavor-packed recipe that’s as easy to make as it is to fall in love with.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of cavatappi pasta or any preferred pasta variety
- 2 pints of cherry tomatoes
- 1 block 8 ounces of feta cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil tightly packed and chopped, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the cherry tomatoes to an oven-safe baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss the tomatoes until evenly coated.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, nestling it among the tomatoes. Flip the feta a couple of times to lightly coat it in the oil and seasonings.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is soft and melty.
- While the feta and tomatoes are in the oven, cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, making sure to reserve ½ cup of the cooking water in case it's needed later to loosen the sauce.
- As soon as the dish comes out of the oven, add the minced garlic and chopped basil directly to the hot tomatoes and feta. Stir everything together until well combined into a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce. Finish with additional fresh basil for garnish and serve warm.