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Creamy Baked Feta Pasta Recipe Easy Perfect Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy creamy baked feta pasta with burst cherry tomatoes that creates a luscious sauce perfect for cozy dinners. This recipe is fuss-free, comforting, and a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 7-ounce (200g) block of full-fat feta cheese
  • 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces (225g) short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
  • Optional: lemon zest
  • Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional: spinach or arugula

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the block of feta in the center of a medium-sized ovenproof baking dish. Scatter the cherry tomatoes evenly around it.
  3. Drizzle the feta and tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
  4. Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the tomatoes and feta. Add red pepper flakes if using. Season lightly with freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and softened, and the feta is golden and creamy on top.
  6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water before draining.
  7. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a spoon or fork to mash the feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy sauce.
  8. Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish with the feta and tomato sauce.
  9. Slowly stir in reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce coats the pasta perfectly.
  10. Tear fresh basil leaves over the pasta and gently toss everything together.
  11. Serve immediately, optionally topped with lemon zest or grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

If feta looks dry before roasting, it softens beautifully in the oven. Reserving pasta water is key for a silky sauce. Use fresh ripe cherry tomatoes for best flavor. Tubular pasta shapes hold sauce well. For a richer sauce, add a splash of cream before roasting. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge up to 3 days; add warm water or milk when reheating to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomatoes, easy dinner, weeknight meal, vegetarian pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/