Feta cheese and cherry tomatoes are roasted in the oven, turned into a lightly creamy and garlicky sauce, and tossed with pasta in this Baked Feta Pasta Recipe. It’s a quick, easy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Baked feta pasta went viral on TikTok not too long ago and for good reason – it’s easy and it’s delicious! Some recipes bake the noodles in the oven but I prefer the texture and consistency of the sauce when the noodles are boiled separately. The oven roasts the tomatoes until they’re ready to burst and the feta becomes super soft and creamy. When mixed with a bit of pasta water, it becomes a smooth, light sauce that coats the pasta so beautifully.
This recipe fits right in with the other pasta dishes I often turn to on busy weeknights, like lemon garlic pasta and cajun chicken pasta. I love adding a new quick and easy pasta dish to my repertoire for those nights I have a limited amount of time in the kitchen.
Why This Baked Feta Pasta Is So Great For Busy Weeknights
- Ready in 40 minutes. Dinner can be on the table in well under an hour with this recipe. Most of the 40 minutes is hands-off time while the tomatoes and cheese bake in the oven!
- Creamy, garlicky sauce. The baked feta has a delightfully creamy texture with a salty, tangy flavor. Paired with the burst tomatoes and fresh garlic, it makes the most delicious savory, garlicky sauce. It’s not rich and creamy like some other sauces, especially those made with heavy cream, but the cheese lightly coats each piece of pasta.
- Short ingredient list. The main ingredients in this recipe are tomatoes, feta, garlic, and pasta. Any recipe that doesn’t require a long shopping list and uses things I probably have on hand is a win, especially for those busy weeknights.
Key Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the handful of ingredients needed to make this easy pasta recipe. The exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes also work.
- Olive oil – Helps the seasonings stick to the tomatoes.
- Salt & pepper
- Feta cheese – Use a brick of feta, not the crumbled pieces.
- Garlic – If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic cloves whole with the tomatoes and feta, then mash them into the sauce.
- Pasta – I used cavatappi but penne, rigatoni, and other short pastas work too.
- Fresh basil – Adds a final fresh touch to the pasta.
How To Make Baked Feta Pasta
Here’s an overview of how to make this pasta dish. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Assemble. Toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper in the baking dish. Place the feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes and drizzle with oil.
- Bake. Bake for 30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and slightly golden.
- Cook the pasta. While the tomatoes bake, cook the pasta in salted water. Reserve pasta water before draining.
- Combine. Add the minced garlic and basil to the cheese and tomatoes. Stir to create a creamy sauce. Add in the pasta and pasta water, tossing to coat in the sauce.
- Enjoy. Garnish with additional basil then serve and enjoy.
Recipe Variations
There are lots of ways to customize this baked feta pasta recipe. Here are a few ideas.
- Add protein. Cooked chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon can all be added to this baked feta pasta for extra protein.
- Stir in some veggies. Toss in spinach, arugula, or roasted red peppers after baking for added flavor and texture.
- Other cheese options. If you don’t have (or like) feta, try using goat cheese for a similar creamy texture.
- Make it spicy. For a bit of heat, stir in some red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve baked feta pasta with a side of crusty French bread and a side salad, usually Olive Garden salad, to make it a complete meal. Breadsticks are another great option.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftover baked feta pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce.
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces feta cheese block, not crumbles
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large 9×13-inch oven-safe dish, toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, surrounded by the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle a little olive oil over the feta.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and slightly golden.
- While the tomatoes and feta bake, cook the cavatappi pasta according to the package instructions in salted water. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Once the feta and tomatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven. Add the minced garlic and fresh basil to the dish, and gently toss everything together until you have a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the dish. Toss again until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Last Step:
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