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!