Oven-Roasted Feta Pasta
A hands-off pasta dish with roasted feta and cherry tomatoes to create a luscious, savory sauce.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
Full Ingredient List
- 8 ounces cavatappi pasta or pasta of choice
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounce block feta cheese
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh basil, packed and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Baked Feta and Tomato Sauce
Tools and Equipment
- Rectangular Ceramic 13×9 Baking Dish
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pints | cherry tomatoes | Use fresh cherry or grape tomatoes for best results. | regular whole tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes |
| 8 ounce block | feta cheese | Use a block of feta for a better melting consistency. | crumbled feta cheese |
| ½ cup | extra virgin olive oil | Opt for high-quality extra virgin olive oil. | regular olive oil |
| 2 cloves | garlic | Minced | roasted garlic |
| ¼ cup | fresh basil | Packed and chopped, plus more for serving. | fresh oregano, fresh thyme |
| ¼ teaspoon | salt | ||
| ¼ teaspoon | black pepper |
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F and prepare oven-safe baking dish. (Tips: Ensure your dish is oven-proof to prevent accidents.)
- Step 2: Place cherry tomatoes in the baking dish. Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss to combine. (Tips: Use ripe, firm tomatoes for best results.)
- Step 3: Place the block of feta in the center of the dish and coat it with seasoning and olive oil. (Tips: Flip the feta a couple of times for even coating.)
- Step 4: Bake for 35 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta is melted. (Tips: Your kitchen will have a delightful aroma once baked.)
- Step 5: Add minced garlic and basil leaves as soon as it comes out of the oven. (Tips: Mix quickly to soften the garlic.)
Pasta Preparation
Tools and Equipment
- Anodized Nonstick Cookware
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ounces | cavatappi pasta or pasta of choice | Cook according to package instructions until al dente. | gluten-free pasta |
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of cooking liquid. (Tips: The reserved pasta water can help adjust the sauce's consistency.)
Final Assembly
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine cooked pasta with baked feta and tomato mixture. (Tips: Add reserved pasta water if needed to moisten the sauce.)
- Step 2: Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving. (Tips: Serve warm for best taste.)
Additional Information
Notes: This easy pasta dish can be made with various ingredients to suit both gluten-free and non-vegetarian diets. Adjust herbs and seasonings based on personal preference.