🎉 Introduction
This Baked Feta Pasta became a viral sensation for a reason — it’s incredibly easy, bursting with flavor, and requires minimal effort. The magic happens in the oven, where sweet cherry tomatoes and creamy feta cheese roast together to create a luscious sauce that coats every piece of pasta.
With fresh basil, garlic, and a hint of lemon zest, this dish tastes like something straight out of a Mediterranean kitchen — ready in under 40 minutes.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Oven-safe baking dish
- Large pot for pasta
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microplane or zester
🛒 Ingredients
🧄 Fruits & Vegetables:
- ¼ cup fresh basil, packed
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp oregano
🍝 Pasta & Grains:
- 8 oz orecchiette pasta
🌿 Spices & Seasonings:
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🫒 Oils & Vinegars:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
🧀 Dairy Products:
- 1 (8 oz) block feta cheese
💧 Liquids:
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1 – Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, add cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
Step 2 – Add the Feta
3. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, surrounded by tomatoes.
4. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil.
Step 3 – Bake
5. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta softens.
Step 4 – Cook the Pasta
6. While baking, cook orecchiette in salted boiling water until al dente.
7. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.
Step 5 – Make the Sauce
8. Remove baking dish from oven.
9. Mash tomatoes and feta together until creamy.
10. Stir in lemon zest and fresh basil.
Step 6 – Combine & Serve
11. Add cooked pasta and pasta water to the baking dish.
12. Toss until evenly coated.
13. Serve hot with extra basil on top.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 3–4 portions
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or olive oil to loosen.
- Freezer: Not recommended for best texture.
🥄 Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes before baking.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan feta cheese.
- Extra Veggies: Add roasted zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms.
- Different Pasta: Try penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
Yes, but it may melt more quickly. - What if I don’t have orecchiette?
Any pasta shape works. - Can I use grape tomatoes?
Yes, they roast beautifully. - Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the skins soften during baking. - Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free pasta. - Can I add protein?
Try grilled chicken or chickpeas. - What if I don’t have lemon?
Skip it or add a splash of vinegar for brightness. - Can I make it ahead?
Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers reheat well. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use a larger baking dish. - Why is my sauce too thick?
Add extra pasta water until creamy.
🏁 Conclusion
This Baked Feta Pasta is proof that simple ingredients can create gourmet flavors. With just one baking dish and a pot of pasta, you can have a creamy, tangy, and utterly satisfying meal in under 40 minutes.
Baked Feta Pasta – Simple, Creamy & Oven-Baked Goodness
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, add cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, surrounded by tomatoes.
- Drizzle with a little extra olive oil.
- Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta softens.
- While baking, cook orecchiette in salted boiling water until al dente.
- Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Remove baking dish from oven.
- Mash tomatoes and feta together until creamy.
- Stir in lemon zest and fresh basil.
- Add cooked pasta and pasta water to the baking dish.
- Toss until evenly coated.
- Serve hot with extra basil on top.
Notes
Yes, but it may melt more quickly. What if I don’t have orecchiette?
Any pasta shape works. Can I use grape tomatoes?
Yes, they roast beautifully. Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the skins soften during baking. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free pasta. Can I add protein?
Try grilled chicken or chickpeas. What if I don’t have lemon?
Skip it or add a splash of vinegar for brightness. Can I make it ahead?
Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers reheat well. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use a larger baking dish. Why is my sauce too thick?
Add extra pasta water until creamy. 🏁 Conclusion
This Baked Feta Pasta is proof that simple ingredients can create gourmet flavors. With just one baking dish and a pot of pasta, you can have a creamy, tangy, and utterly satisfying meal in under 40 minutes.
