Save A festive, creamy pasta dish featuring oven-roasted feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a snowy sprinkle of grated Parmesan, perfect for a holiday table.
A comforting dish I enjoyed making during the holiday season with family.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g (7 oz)
- Parmesan cheese, finely grated: 60 g (2 oz)
- Cherry tomatoes, mixed colors preferred: 500 g (1 lb)
- Garlic, peeled and thinly sliced: 3 cloves
- Red onion, thinly sliced (optional): 1 small
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish: as desired
- Short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni): 350 g (12 oz)
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes (optional): ½ tsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste: as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)
- Arrange ingredients:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a baking dish Arrange cherry tomatoes, garlic, and onion (if using) around the feta
- Season:
- Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper
- Bake:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden at the edges
- Cook pasta:
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta
- Mash feta mixture:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven Using a large spoon, gently mash and mix the feta with the tomatoes and garlic until creamy
- Combine pasta:
- Add the hot pasta to the baking dish, tossing everything together Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, topped with a generous snowfall of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves
Save This recipe has become a special holiday tradition that brings everyone together around the table.
Notes
Pair with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or festive sparkling water for a refreshing complement.
Required Tools
Oven-safe baking dish, large pot, strainer, mixing spoon
Allergen Information
Contains milk (feta, Parmesan), wheat (pasta) Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability if required For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free pasta
Save This baked feta pasta is a simple yet stunning dish that will impress your guests and warm your heart.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I prevent the feta from drying out while baking?
Place the feta in the center of the dish surrounded by tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil to help it stay moist and develop a creamy texture.
- → Can I use different types of pasta for this dish?
Yes, short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni work best to capture the creamy sauce and roasted ingredients.
- → What is the purpose of reserving pasta water?
Adding reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce, making it silky and ensuring it coats the pasta evenly.
- → How can I add more color or variety to the dish?
Incorporate baby spinach or roasted red peppers to introduce extra color and flavor depth.
- → Is there a way to make this dish suitable for a vegan diet?
Use plant-based feta alternatives and substitute Parmesan with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version.