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.
This dish brings warmth and comfort to any holiday gathering with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g (7 oz)
- Parmesan cheese: 60 g (2 oz), finely grated
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g (1 lb), mixed colors preferred
- Garlic: 3 cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
- Short pasta: 350 g (12 oz), fusilli penne or rigatoni
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes: ½ tsp (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare Baking Dish:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes garlic and onion (if using) around the feta.
- Add Seasoning:
- 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:
- Meanwhile 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 and Sauce:
- 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 My family loves to gather around this dish during the holidays and share stories.
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
Nutritional Information
Calories 510 Total Fat 20 g Carbohydrates 62 g Protein 19 g per serving
Save This baked feta pasta is sure to be a crowd pleaser and is perfect for any festive occasion.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni are ideal as they hold the creamy sauce well and mix easily with the baked feta and tomatoes.
- → Can I make this dish vegan-friendly?
Yes, substitute the feta and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives to maintain the creamy texture and flavor while keeping it vegan.
- → How to know when the baked feta and tomatoes are done?
They are ready when the tomatoes burst and the feta edges turn golden and slightly softened, about 25-30 minutes at 200°C (400°F).
- → Is it possible to add extra vegetables?
Absolutely, baby spinach, roasted red peppers, or even thinly sliced onions can be added to enhance color and flavor.
- → What wines pair well with this pasta dish?
Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or a light sparkling wine complement the creamy, tangy flavors perfectly.