Description
I still remember the first time I stumbled upon the magic of Baked Feta Pasta—it was a chilly evening, and I was in desperate need of something warm and comforting. Scrolling through my feed, I was drawn in by vibrant images of molten feta nestled among juicy cherry tomatoes, and I knew I had to try it. With just a handful of simple ingredients, this dish comes together effortlessly, transforming into a creamy, cheesy delight with each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound Cavatappi Pasta
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes
- 8 ounces Feta Cheese
- 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 cloves Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped and packed
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for a wonderful baking experience that will fill your kitchen with delightful aromas.
- Prepare tomatoes: Place the cherry tomatoes in an oven-safe baking dish; drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss them gently to ensure they’re evenly coated.
- Add feta: Nestle the block of feta cheese right in the center of the tomatoes. Make sure to pour a little more olive oil and sprinkle some salt and pepper on the feta to enhance its flavors.
- Bake away: Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 35 minutes, watching as the tomatoes burst and the feta becomes beautifully melted and creamy.
- Cook pasta: While the feta and tomatoes are baking, boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Remember to reserve ½ cup of that precious pasta water!
- Mix in garlic and basil: Once the baking is done, take the dish out of the oven and immediately add the minced garlic and chopped basil to the tomatoes and feta. Toss gently to combine everything!
- Combine pasta: Add the cooked pasta to your baking dish, then toss thoroughly. Use the reserved pasta water to help create that deliciously creamy consistency!
- Garnish and serve: Finish off with a sprinkle of fresh basil for that extra pop of color and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy the comforting goodness of your homemade Baked Feta Pasta!
Notes
- Optimal Feta Placement: Ensure your feta is placed in the center surrounded by tomatoes for optimal melting and creaminess in the final dish.
- Oven-Safe Dish: Always use an oven-safe baking dish to prevent any mishaps while baking your delicious Baked Feta Pasta.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Don't forget to reserve some pasta water; it helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency for your baked dish.
- Prevent Overbaking: Keep an eye on the tomatoes; they should burst but not completely disintegrate. Remove from the oven as soon as they're perfectly soft.
- Customize Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables or cheese types to make this Baked Feta Pasta uniquely yours!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg