Description
This Pasta with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes is a quick, creamy dish bursting with roasted tomato sweetness and tangy feta. A simple yet irresistible weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)
- 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz block feta cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or parsley)
- Optional: 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Assemble for Baking: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, place the block of feta in the center. Surround it with cherry tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil over everything, then sprinkle with garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta softens and slightly melts.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Combine: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and tomatoes into a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in fresh basil and lemon juice (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm with extra basil on top.
Notes
- For a stovetop version, sauté tomatoes and garlic in olive oil until soft, then melt crumbled feta into the mix before tossing with pasta.
- Swap cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Stovetop (Pasta)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg