Description
This Creamy Baked Feta Pasta is the internet’s favorite weeknight dinner—simple, delicious, and packed with flavor! Inspired by the viral TikTok trend, this dish combines roasted cherry tomatoes, a creamy block of feta cheese, garlic, and fresh basil, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. The magic happens in the oven as the cheese melts and the tomatoes burst, creating a rich, tangy, and creamy sauce that coats every bite.
Best of all? It’s made with minimal ingredients and requires almost no effort—just throw everything in a baking dish, let it bake, and mix it up. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or impressing friends, this dish is a guaranteed hit!
Ingredients
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 10 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (optional, for extra creaminess)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Zest of ½ lemon (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Add cherry tomatoes and minced garlic to the baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, and toss to coat evenly.
Add the Feta: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish, surrounded by the tomatoes. Drizzle a little more olive oil over the feta.
Bake: Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is soft and slightly golden.
Cook the Pasta: While the feta bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Mash & Mix: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork or spoon, mash the softened feta and tomatoes together to create a creamy sauce.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss everything together until well coated. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Garnish & Serve: Stir in fresh basil and lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Tomato Tip: Cherry or grape tomatoes work best because they burst easily and add natural sweetness.
- Pasta Choices: Short pasta like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli holds the sauce best.
- Cheese Substitutes: If you don’t have feta, try goat cheese, ricotta, or burrata for a different twist.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or olive oil to bring back the creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (~2 cups)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: TikTok baked feta pasta, creamy feta pasta, easy pasta recipe, viral pasta, one-pan pasta