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Baked Feta Pasta

Baked feta and roasted tomatoes create a creamy pasta sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pints 20 oz grape tomatoes
  • 5 medium garlic cloves peeled and halved
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 7 –8 oz block feta cheese drained
  • 10 oz dry pasta campanelle, rigatoni, rotini, penne, bow tie, or cavatappi
  • 8 oz spinach roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Add grape tomatoes and garlic to a 3-quart baking dish. Toss with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Place the feta cheese in the center and turn it gently to coat with oil.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the dish, move the oven rack to the upper third, and increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta lightly browns.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  • Just before draining, add spinach to the pasta pot and submerge briefly to wilt. Drain pasta and spinach.
  • Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash the roasted tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and feta into a creamy sauce.
  • Add pasta, spinach, basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
  • Thin the sauce with reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm

Notes

Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein