Be on trend with this delicious Baked Feta Pasta that has a huge social media following!
I wouldn’t recommend replacing Betty Crocker with TikTok, but in this situation, TikTok has a winning recipe. A couple of Finnish bloggers posted about this recipe in 2018 and 2019, and it ended up breaking the Internet. (Not really. But it did go viral on Instagram and TikTok, with millions of views and likes!). The recipe became so popular that grocery stores in Finland ran out of feta cheese.
And to be honest, there’s a good reason for that. This Baked Feta Pasta is both creamy and savory, as well as super versatile. You can add chicken, ground beef, or vegetables, swap out the cheeses, or play with various seasonings. I like to pair the Baked Feta Pasta with salads, like this recipe for Greek Salad or even a creamy, sweet option like this Grape Salad. It’s also nice to serve with a baguette or even some Cornbread.
You might also present the dish with a flourish, announcing that the “uunifetapasta” (Finnish for Oven-Baked Feta Pasta) is served.
What is Feta Cheese?
Feta cheese is a type of Greek cheese that is made from sheep or goat’s milk. It is high in protein and calcium, but also in sodium due to the brining process. It is sometimes also marinated in olive oil. It is a white, crumbly cheese known for its tangy, salty flavor. It’s a key ingredient in so many Mediterranean dishes like the traditional Greek salad where it is combined with tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and a drizzle of olive oil. I love it with watermelon and pineapple in this original salad. I have even seen it on pizza but it is rarely used on pasta making this recipe quite interesting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 oz dried pasta
- 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 block 4 oz feta cheese
- Pinch of Salt and black pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil for garnish
How to Make – The Steps
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large, ovenproof baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. Toss everything gently and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Step 2: Place the feta in the center of the tomato mixture and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes blister and the feta is golden on top.
Step 3: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it in a colander.
Step 4: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and add in the cooked pasta. Stir until it is coated in the feta cheese and cherry tomato mixture.
Step 5: Serve the baked feta pasta warm and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Top Tips For a Perfect Baked Feta Pasta
- For the right ratio of pasta to sauce, use 8-10 ounces of pasta.
- Only cook the pasta until it’s al dente (slightly firm to the bite). That will keep it from becoming mushy when it’s mixed with the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta straight from the pot into the feta dish. You can also add a splash of the pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta.
- If your sauce is too thick, add some of the pasta water to thin it out.
- You can also try different cheese, one of my favorite variation is with Boursin, worth a try!
FAQs
Honestly, this is a good thing. Feta cheese shouldn’t melt in the oven because it has high moisture and acid content. So, your feta will retain its consistency and shape even after a blast in the oven.
You can experiment with different seasonings and herbs or add some shallots. You can also make this with different types of cheese like goat or ricotta or add proteins like chicken or ground beef.
This dish works well with most types of pasta, from rotini to linguini. You can also make your pasta from scratch, if you’re feeling ambitious.
Serving Suggestions
Like most pasta dishes, Baked Feta Pasta is best served hot and fresh (although make sure the cherry tomatoes don’t burn your tongue!) This dish works well as a standalone, especially if you add some proteins or vegetables. You can also serve it with a nice salad.
How to Store
You can store the Baked Feta Pasta in the fridge for 3-4 days (allow to completely cool before storing). You can reheat it in the microwave or oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This dish doesn’t freeze well, so be sure you eat it after a couple days in the fridge.
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 oz dried pasta
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 block 4 oz feta cheese
- pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400° F. In a large, ovenproof baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. Toss everything gently and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Place the feta in the center of the tomato mixture and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes blister and the feta is golden on top.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Once the pasta is al dente, drain it in a colander.
- Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and add in the cooked pasta. Stir until it is coated in the feta cheese and cherry tomato mixture.
- Serve the baked feta pasta warm and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Nutrition
