BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with the irresistible flavors of BAKED FETA PASTA! This dish truly epitomizes just how easy and satisfying home cooking can be, blending juicy grape tomatoes and tangy feta cheese into a creamy, bubbling sauce right in the oven. With just a handful of vibrant ingredients and barely any prep, you’ll have a pasta that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Whether you’re feeding family on a weeknight or looking to impress guests, this recipe is your ticket to instant comfort and big flavor in every bite.

BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the beautiful things about BAKED FETA PASTA is its simplicity—each ingredient is chosen with intention and brings an irreplaceable touch to the final dish. Let’s go over what you’ll need and why these basics are truly everything here.

  • Grape Tomatoes (2 ½ cups): Their natural sweetness and juicy pop create the backbone of the sauce, especially when roasted until bursting.
  • Feta Cheese Brick (1-8 oz): Opt for the block over crumbled; it melts creamier and becomes the luscious centerpiece of the pasta.
  • Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds herby depth to both the tomatoes and cheese, infusing every bite with Mediterranean character.
  • Salt (½ teaspoon): Just enough to draw out flavors and balance the tanginess of the feta.
  • Olive Oil (5 tablespoons): Helps everything roast evenly and adds silkiness to the finished sauce.
  • Fresh Basil (1/4 cup, chopped): A final touch for brightness and color, lifting all the flavors.
  • Bow Tie Pasta (12 oz, cooked & warm): These little pockets catch the creamy sauce perfectly—don’t forget to cook and drain just before tossing.

How to Make BAKED FETA PASTA

Step 1: Prep and Preheat

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it heats up, give your grape tomatoes a good rinse and pat them dry—this helps them roast, not steam, leading to richer flavor. Choose a medium-sized baking dish that gives the tomatoes a little room to nestle around the feta.

Step 2: Assemble Your Baking Dish

Place all the grape tomatoes into your baking dish, then nestle the whole brick of feta cheese right in the center. Positioning the feta this way ensures it softens beautifully and picks up all those sweet, roasty tomato juices.

Step 3: Drizzle and Season

Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil evenly over the tomatoes and feta brick. Next, sprinkle the Italian seasoning and salt over everything so each element gets a little love. Drizzle the last 2 tablespoons of olive oil directly over the top of the feta for extra creaminess and flavor infusion.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Watch as the tomatoes start to burst, releasing their juices, while the feta softens into a spreadable, creamy texture. It should look golden at the edges and aromatic enough to make your whole kitchen smell heavenly.

Step 5: Mix and Finish

When it’s out of the oven, use a sturdy spoon to mash the feta and tomatoes together right in the baking dish. Add your chopped fresh basil at this point so it wilts just slightly from the heat—this is where all the magic and color happens!

Step 6: Toss With Pasta

Add your cooked, warm bow tie pasta straight into the baking dish. Toss everything thoroughly so the pasta gets coated in the creamy, herby sauce. Now, get ready to serve and soak up the praise!

How to Serve BAKED FETA PASTA

BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

For an extra pop of flavor and color, scatter a few more fresh basil leaves or even some thinly sliced chives over each plate. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of olive oil just before serving adds a lovely touch of richness and aroma.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, or perhaps some garlic bread to mop up every bit of the cheesy tomato sauce. A simple roasted veggie like asparagus or green beans also works beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Make it dinner party-worthy by serving BAKED FETA PASTA in shallow bowls with a sprig of fresh basil on top for a restaurant-style flourish. For a family meal, present it in the baking dish at the table and let everyone scoop up their own—it’s rustic, inviting, and undeniably appetizing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (though, fair warning, it disappears fast!), transfer the BAKED FETA PASTA to an airtight container and refrigerate. It stays delicious for up to three days and makes a fantastic next-day lunch.

Freezing

While the creamy feta sauce changes texture slightly after freezing, you can still freeze leftovers in a sealed container for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then stir to reincorporate any separated sauce before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, place pasta in a skillet or baking dish and warm over medium heat with a splash of water or olive oil to restore the saucy consistency. Stir gently until hot, and freshen it up with a little more basil if you like.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese for BAKED FETA PASTA?

Absolutely! While feta provides that signature tang and creaminess, you can experiment with goat cheese or a soft mozzarella block. Just know it will change the flavor profile, but still be delicious.

What other pasta shapes work well?

Bow tie pasta is fantastic, but penne, fusilli, or even spaghetti would soak up the sauce beautifully. Just aim for a shape that holds onto the creamy bits and tomatoes.

Do I have to use grape tomatoes, or can I substitute with cherry or larger tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes work perfectly as a substitute. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into bite-sized pieces so they roast and burst just as well.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! BAKED FETA PASTA is entirely vegetarian as written. Just ensure your cheese is made with vegetarian rennet if you want it to be fully meat-free.

How can I make this dish spicy?

If you love a little kick, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning before baking. You can also serve with chili oil drizzled over the top for a fiery finish.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried BAKED FETA PASTA, now is the time! It’s the kind of dish that delivers maximum flavor, minimum stress, and a sense of pure kitchen joy. Gather your ingredients and get ready for a meal that’s sure to become a staple—just wait until you taste that first creamy, herby forkful. Enjoy every bite!

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BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe

BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe


  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A simple and delicious recipe for Baked Feta Pasta that has taken the internet by storm. Burst cherry tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs come together to create a flavorful pasta dish that’s easy to make.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Baked Feta Pasta:

  • 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes, washed and dried
  • 18 oz brick of Feta cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked, drained, and kept warm

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Add tomatoes to a medium-sized baking dish.
  2. Place Feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
  3. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the tomatoes and cheese.
  4. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and salt over the cheese and tomatoes.
  5. Drizzle 2 more tablespoons of olive oil over the Feta.
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the cheese softens.
  7. Remove from oven. Stir the cheese and tomatoes until combined. Add chopped fresh basil.
  8. Mix in the cooked pasta until well combined. Serve hot.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Baked Feta Pasta, Feta Pasta Recipe, Baked Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

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