Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

$- 200g (7 oz) feta cheese - 300g (10.5 oz) penne pasta - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving These ingredients create a simple yet delicious dish. The feta cheese adds creaminess. The cherry tomatoes burst with flavor after baking. Olive oil and garlic bring richness and depth. You can add a few optional ingredients to enhance the taste. Try adding: - Spinach for a boost of greens - Kalamata olives for a salty kick - Lemon zest for brightness - Pine nuts for crunch These additions can change the dish's flavor profile. Feel free to mix and match based on your taste. Baked Feta Pasta is not just tasty; it's also filling. Here’s a simple breakdown of the nutrition per serving: - Calories: Roughly 400 - Protein: 15g - Carbohydrates: 50g - Fat: 18g - Fiber: 3g This dish provides a good balance of carbs and fats. It can be part of a healthy meal plan. Adjust portions based on your dietary needs. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather your ingredients. You will need feta cheese, penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, and some spices. This dish is simple yet packed with flavor. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get started. In a large baking dish, add the halved cherry tomatoes. Next, mix in minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything well. This helps the tomatoes soak in all that flavor. Place the block of feta cheese in the center. Drizzle some olive oil on top of the feta for extra richness. Bake this in the oven for about 25 minutes. The feta will soften, and the tomatoes will burst. While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook it until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes, but check the package for exact times. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside. When the feta and tomatoes are done, take them out of the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and tomatoes together. This creates a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the dish and toss everything together. Make sure the pasta is well coated. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm with fresh basil and grated Parmesan on top. Enjoy your creamy baked feta pasta! To get a creamy sauce, start with high-quality feta cheese. Use a block of feta instead of crumbled. Block feta melts better and gives a smoother texture. When you mash the baked feta and tomatoes together, be gentle. This helps blend the flavors without losing the creaminess. Adding a splash of pasta water can also help. The starchy water mixes well and makes the sauce even creamier. When baking feta, ensure the oven is hot. Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for best results. Place the feta in the center of the dish, surrounded by tomatoes. This allows the cheese to soak in all the flavors. Drizzle olive oil over the top to keep it moist. Bake until the feta is soft and the tomatoes burst. This creates a rich, flavorful base for your pasta. You can easily swap out some ingredients. If you don't have penne, use any pasta you love. Bowtie or rotini work well too. For garlic lovers, add more minced garlic for a stronger flavor. Don't have cherry tomatoes? You can use diced regular tomatoes instead. If you want a twist, try adding olives or capers for a Mediterranean touch. Pro Tips Use High-Quality Feta: Opt for a block of high-quality feta cheese to achieve the creamiest texture and best flavor when baked. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the baking dish for extra flavor and nutrition. Reserve Pasta Water: Save a cup of pasta cooking water before draining; you can use it to adjust the sauce's consistency if needed. Garnish for Flavor: Top the dish with toasted pine nuts or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an added layer of flavor and texture. {{image_2}} For a touch of the Mediterranean, consider adding olives and artichokes. Kalamata olives bring a salty burst. Artichokes add a nice texture. You can also include roasted red peppers for sweetness. These extras enhance the flavor and make your dish more colorful. Penne is great, but you can use other pasta types. Fusilli or farfalle work well, too. If you want a lighter option, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. These choices keep the dish fresh and fun. You can even use whole wheat pasta for added fiber. To make this dish vegetarian, simply skip the cheese or replace it with a plant-based feta. Cashew cheese is a tasty alternative. If you're vegan, use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Adding more vegetables, like spinach or bell peppers, boosts nutrition and flavor. You can adjust the spices to keep the dish exciting. To store your baked feta pasta, let it cool down first. Use an airtight container. This helps keep the dish fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Use a freezer-safe container and make sure to label it. When you are ready to eat, reheat the pasta gently. Use a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between. You can also reheat it on the stove. Add a splash of water or olive oil to keep it moist. Stir until it is warmed through. Baked feta pasta lasts about four days in the fridge. If you freeze it, it can last up to three months. However, the texture may change after freezing. For best flavor and texture, eat it within a month of freezing. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Baked feta pasta is a creamy dish made with feta cheese and pasta. You bake feta with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and spices. Once baked, it turns into a rich sauce. You mix this with cooked pasta for a delicious meal. Yes, you can prepare Baked Feta Pasta ahead of time. Cook the pasta and bake the feta and tomatoes. Let them cool and store them in the fridge. When ready to eat, warm it up in the oven. Baked feta pasta can be a healthy choice. It includes tomatoes, which are rich in vitamins. Feta cheese provides protein and calcium. You can adjust oil and cheese to make it lighter. You can use other cheeses if you prefer. Goat cheese or cream cheese work well. They will change the flavor but still create a creamy dish. To make Baked Feta Pasta gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Many types are available, like rice or corn-based pasta. Follow the same steps in the recipe for a tasty dish. Baked Feta Pasta is easy to make and full of flavor. We covered key ingredients and optional ones for extra taste. Step-by-step, I showed you how to bake feta, cook pasta, and achieve a creamy sauce. You learned about storage, reheating, and even variations like vegetarian options. Now, you can try this dish any way you like. Enjoy creating your own version of this tasty meal!$

A delicious and creamy pasta dish featuring baked feta cheese and cherry tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

200 g feta cheese
300 g penne pasta
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
0.25 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
to taste salt
to taste pepper
for garnish fresh basil leaves
for serving grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large baking dish, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure the tomatoes are coated.
Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, surrounded by the seasoned tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the feta.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the feta is soft and the tomatoes are bursting.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Once the feta and tomatoes are done baking, remove the dish from the oven and gently mash the feta cheese and tomatoes together with a fork to create a creamy sauce.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the baking dish, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the feta-tomato mixture. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.

Keyword baked, creamy, feta, pasta, tomatoes