Pasta Bake with Feta

Not long ago, this baked feta pasta recipe went viral on social media. So much so that many places worldwide experienced shortages of feta cheese. My teenage daughter, who loves to cook and bake with her friends and is also no stranger to viral social media trends, was one of the many inspired to make this dish. My vocal skepticism was immediately extinguished after the very first bite.

This baked feta pasta is creamy and bright, with a distinctive sheep’s milk tang and salty finish. Add in the sweet, acidic, concentrated flavor of the oven-roasted tomatoes, and this simple pasta dish is abundant in flavor. The biggest surprise, however, is how quick and easy it is to make. If you can boil water, you can achieve this deliciousness.

Ingredients for Pasta Bake with Feta

• Cherry tomatoes: You’ll want 2 pints of ripe cherry or grape tomatoes. If you have access to vine-ripe farmers market or homegrown tomatoes, your dish will have an even deeper level of flavor.
• Garlic: Three cloves, cut in half or crushed, is what this recipe calls for. Fresh garlic brings an aromatic, pungent, spicy flavor to the pasta, counterbalancing the sweetness of the tomatoes.
• Olive oil: Wonderfully floral and peppery, extra virgin olive oil will help disperse the flavors as it coats the pasta.
• Feta cheese: Greek, brine-aged sheep’s milk cheese, feta is soft and crumbly with a tangy, salty flavor. As in this recipe, feta is often paired with olive oil and tomatoes for a balance of flavor.
• Pasta: The pasta shape of choice for this recipe is rigatoni. However, any ridged or tube-shaped pasta that can hold onto sauce will work.
• Basil: Fresh, sweet basil leaves are coarsely chopped and sprinkled into the feta pasta to create a savory, herbal brightness.

Directions

Step 1: Start the sauce

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a 13×9-inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Stir the tomatoes to thoroughly coat them in the oil.

Step 2: Add the feta, then bake

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Place the block of feta into the center of the baking dish, making sure it’s sitting flat against the bottom of the dish. Drizzle the feta with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle it with the salt and pepper. Bake until the tomato skins start to split and the garlic has softened, 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the pasta

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Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.

Step 4: Burst the tomatoes

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Stir the feta cheese and tomatoes together until thoroughly combined, lightly pressing the tomatoes with the back of a spoon until they burst.

Step 5: Assemble the dish

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Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish, and toss to coat. Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Sprinkle the basil over the top and serve.

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Pasta Bake with Feta Variations

• Make it meaty: Add sliced or crumbled Italian sausage to the baking dish with the feta and tomatoes before popping it into the oven.
• Try it spicy: Kick up the heat by adding some red pepper flakes, Calabrian chili peppers or ‘nduja to the feta and tomatoes before baking.
• Add some veg: Add fresh spinach to the baking pan just before the pasta gets stirred in. The hot pasta and sauce will cook the spinach, bringing some color and healthy leafy greens to the dish.

How to Store Pasta Bake with Feta

This pasta dish is best as soon as it’s made. However, if you end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container after they’ve cooled, and place them in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Pasta Bake with Feta Tips

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Can this cherry tomato and feta pasta be made gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can definitely be made gluten-free by simply substituting your favorite gluten-free pasta and following the recipe as directed.

Can I make this with leftover rotisserie chicken?

Yes, you can mix leftover rotisserie chicken into this dish for added protein and flavor.

Can I use different cheeses?

The feta cheese works really well in this recipe because of its strong flavor profile and ability to melt into a creamy consistency. Goat cheese will work equally well, bringing a stronger and slightly sour profile. Mascarpone can be substituted as a sweeter option, or queso fresco as a milder flavor choice.

Can you use crumbled feta to make baked pasta with feta?

Feta melts better if you start with a block instead of buying crumbled cheese. Crumbled feta may burn and stick to the bottom of the baking dish. It’s worth the effort to get a block for the best results!

What else can you add to baked feta pasta?

You can add fresh basil or spinach at the end. Red pepper flakes add a spicy kick, or you can stir in spicy ground Italian sausage for a heartier dish.