Description
This Creamy Homemade Baked Feta Pasta Delight is a simple yet indulgent dish featuring golden baked feta cheese combined with roasted cherry tomatoes and al dente pasta. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil, this recipe creates a luscious, creamy sauce that’s both comforting and flavorful, making it an ideal meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 400 grams pasta of choice (penne or fusilli), cooked al dente
- 200 grams block feta cheese
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 300 grams fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
Seasonings and Oil
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the feta and tomatoes.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later use.
- Prepare Baking Dish: In a large oven-safe dish, place the feta cheese block in the center and arrange the halved cherry tomatoes around it.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Pour extra virgin olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, ensuring everything is well coated for enhanced flavor and roasting.
- Add Garlic: Spread the minced garlic evenly over the cheese and tomatoes to infuse the dish with aromatic notes.
- Season: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) generously over the ingredients for balanced seasoning.
- Bake: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the feta is melted, golden, and creamy, and the tomatoes have softened and released their juices.
- Chop Basil: While baking, chop the fresh basil leaves and set them aside for garnish and flavor.
- Mash Mixture: Remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and roasted tomatoes together thoroughly to form a creamy, rich sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Combine Pasta: Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy baked feta and tomato mixture, ensuring every piece is coated evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil and serve the dish immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use pasta shapes like penne or fusilli that help hold the creamy sauce well.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a smooth sauce if needed when mixing.
- Fresh basil adds a bright, herby contrast, but you can substitute with fresh parsley or oregano.
- For a vegan version, replace feta with a plant-based cheese alternative suitable for baking.
