Baked Feta Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe that is creamy, delicious, and flavorful - the whole family will love it! With easy to follow simple instructions and just a handful of ingredients including a whole block of feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, and tender pasta, it's no wonder that this Tiktok pasta went viral.
This viral feta pasta takes just 10 minutes of prep work, while the rest of the time is spend roasting feta in the oven, and boiling pasta. It's a low maintenance and mostly hands-free dish that you need to add to you weekly dinner rotation. This baked pasta is not quite a one-pot meal, but it's just as easy and more than satisfying when served alone or with simple side dishes.
Why You'll Love this Baked Feta Pasta
- Minimal prep work. This recipe is incredibly simple and requires hardly any work, but the flavor payoff is huge! If you can boil pasta and preheat an oven, you can have this creamy baked feta pasta on the table in well under an hour - 40 minutes to be exact!
- Cheesy tomato basil sauce. This simple recipe is so good because of the oven-made sauce. Bursting cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, creamy feta, and fresh basil transform into the most craveable pasta sauce ever.
- Perfect for busy evenings. Baked feta pasta is the ideal weeknight dinner because it's so easy to make! It's a fuss-free, hands off meal that is great for when you want a delicious homemade meal but don't have a lot of time or energy to cook.
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Baked Feta Pasta, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- olive oil - avocado oil would work in place of olive oil if you need a substitute.
- cherry tomatoes - grape, plum, or Campari tomatoes will also work in a pinch.
- garlic - if you don't have fresh garlic on hand, you can use one teaspoon of minced garlic for each clove.
- feta cheese
- pasta - the viral version of this baked feta pasta uses penne, but you can use any similar-sized pasta noodles. Rotini, bow tie, or rigatoni are great options.
- fresh basil - you can also use dried basil (though it will have a slightly different texture) or other soft herbs like parsley or dill.
- salt and pepper
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, 9x13-inch casserole pan, and cooking pot.
How to Make the Best Baked Feta Pasta
- Season tomatoes. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat. Transfer to a 9x13-inch casserole pan.
- Add feta. Place a block of feta cheese in the centre of the casserole dish and bake in a 375F preheated oven until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Optionally, broil on HI for 3-5 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown.
- Make pasta. While the cheese is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm) according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Combine. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the casserole dish and toss well to coat. Slowly stir in some pasta water if needed (if the cheese sauce is too thick).
- Serve. Stir in basil and serve warm.
Recipe Variations
- Add more veggies. Add in other veggies when you are roasting the cherry tomatoes. Some options include green peppers, onions, broccoli, and zucchini. You can also blanch some spinach and stir it in with the cooked pasta.
- Add pesto. Switch up the flavor by stirring in some Basil Pesto when you toss in the cooked pasta. It is so good.
- Add a protein. You can stir in some cooked meat along with the cooked pasta. Try chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef. Make sure it is fully cooked before tossing in.
How to Serve
This Baked Feta Pasta is delicious served with classic pasta sides like salad, bread, and veggies. Some of our favorites to serve with this pasta bake are:
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Garlic Breadsticks
- Balsamic Roasted Broccoli
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Cheesy Garlic Bread
- Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
See our 30 Best Side Dishes for Pasta for more.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use high-quality ingredients. Because of the simplicity of the recipe, using higher-quality ingredients will yield the best flavors and textures in the final dish. Spring for a good Greek feta and a nice olive oil and you'll taste the difference!
- Pack leftovers for lunch. Leftovers of this creamy baked feta pasta are perfect to pack for school or work lunch the next day. It can be easily reheated in a microwave or enjoyed cold straight from the lunchbox.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Baked feta pasta can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat in the microwave on high power in 90-second increments, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat on the stove in a pan over medium-low heat for a few minutes until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. For the best texture, allow the feta pasta to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
More Pasta Recipes
- 40 Best Pasta Recipes
- Pasta Bake with Sausage (Baked Ziti)
- Chicken Penne Pasta
- Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
- Mascarpone Pesto Pasta
- Baked Ravioli
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Recipe
Baked Feta Pasta
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe that is creamy, delicious, and flavorful - the whole family will love it! With easy to follow simple instructions and just a handful of ingredients including a whole block of feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, and tender pasta, it's no wonder that this Tiktok pasta went viral.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- one 8-ounce block feta cheese, drained
- ½ pound penne pasta, uncooked
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat.
- Transfer to a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Place a block of feta cheese in the centre of the casserole dish and bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Optionally, broil on HI for 3-5 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown.
- While the cheese is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm) according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the casserole dish and toss well to coat. Slowly stir in some pasta water if needed (if the cheese sauce is too thick).
- Stir in basil and serve warm.
Notes
How to store: Baked feta pasta can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
How to reheat: Reheat in the microwave on high power in 90-second increments, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat on the stove in a pan over medium-low heat for a few minutes until warmed through.
How to freeze: Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. For the best texture, allow the feta pasta to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Shannen Roy says
New family favorite in this house!!!!