Mouthwatering Baked Feta Pasta

I stumbled upon this viral baked feta pasta after it took over my TikTok feed and couldn't resist giving it a try. I grabbed everything I needed and soon found out why everyone was going crazy for it. When those tomatoes burst open and mix with the melty feta, they create this incredibly smooth sauce that wraps around each pasta piece just right.

The first time I whipped this up was during a quiet weekend when I craved something tasty but didn't want much hassle. My whole house filled with the most amazing smell while it cooked, and now I make it whenever I want to wow friends without spending forever cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes: These little gems pop in the heat and release their sweet juice. Try to pick firm ones with smooth skin
• 1 8oz brick of Feta cheese: The heart of our dish that turns into a luscious sauce. Go for authentic Greek feta for the best zingy flavor and crumbly feel
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: This spice combo gives everything more flavor. A good mix should have oregano thyme and basil
• ½ teaspoon salt: Brings out all the tastes without overdoing the saltiness
• 5 tablespoons olive oil: Adds richness and helps everything cook perfectly. Grab a nice extra virgin for better results
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil: Gives a fresh pop and nice green color. Pick leaves that look bright and fresh
• 12 oz bow tie pasta: These shapes trap all the yummy sauce in their folds. Cook them until they're just a bit firm

Step-by-Step Instructions

Warm Up Your Oven:

Turn your oven on to 350°F. This gentle heat lets the tomatoes slowly burst open while the cheese gets all melty without burning. As the oven warms up, pull together everything you'll need so it's all ready to go.

Get Your Dish Ready:

Put your clean tomatoes into a medium baking dish in one layer. They need room to roast properly, so pick a dish that isn't too crowded.

Add The Cheese:

Set the whole block of feta right in the middle of all those tomatoes. Keeping it in one piece makes sure it melts slowly for that perfect creamy texture we want.

First Oil Pour:

Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil over everything, making sure both the tomatoes and cheese get some love. This helps the tomatoes cook up nicely and keeps the feta from getting too dry.

Add Some Flavor:

Sprinkle your herbs and salt all over both the cheese and tomatoes. The warm oil will bring out all the amazing smells from the herbs throughout your dish.

More Oil Please:

Pour the last 2 tablespoons of olive oil just on top of the feta. This extra bit helps turn the cheese into that dreamy creamy texture we're after.

Let It Cook:

Pop it in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until you notice the tomatoes have popped open and the cheese looks really soft. The feta should look melty around the edges but still have some shape in the middle.

Mix It Up:

Take it out and right away stir the soft cheese with the juicy tomatoes until they come together as a smooth sauce. The tomato juice and cheese will blend into something magical.

Toss In The Basil:

Stir in your fresh basil while everything's still hot. The warmth will wake up all the basil's great smell without cooking it too much.

Mix With Pasta:

Dump your cooked bow ties straight into the baking dish and stir until every single piece gets covered in that creamy tomato-feta goodness. The warm pasta will soak up some sauce making it taste even better.

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When I first cooked this dish, my house smelled like a little Mediterranean cafe. The real magic starts when those tomatoes split open and their sweet juices mix with the melting feta. My kid who normally picks out every tomato she sees actually asked for more, which tells you all you need to know about how yummy this pasta really is.

Storage Suggestions

This feta pasta keeps really well in sealed containers in your fridge for about 4 days. The flavors actually get better overnight so leftovers are something to look forward to. When you warm it up again, add a tiny bit of water or olive oil to make it creamy again since the pasta soaks up sauce while sitting. For the best results, warm it slowly on your stove instead of in the microwave so the sauce stays nice and smooth.

Easy Variations

The basic version tastes amazing but you can easily switch things up. Throw in a bunch of spinach when mixing your pasta for extra vitamins and a pop of green. Mix in some cooked chicken or sliced Italian sausage if you want more protein. If you like spicy food, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes before baking or add some jarred roasted red peppers with your tomatoes. You can even swap out the feta for some goat cheese if you prefer that tangy flavor instead.

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Serving Ideas

This rich pasta is great by itself but goes really well with a basic green salad with some lemon juice and olive oil to balance out the richness. For a full Mediterranean meal, serve it with some grilled lemon chicken or garlic bread to mop up any extra sauce. A cold glass of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc goes perfectly with the tangy cheese and sweet tomatoes, making this dish perfect for having friends over without much fuss.

Common Questions

→ Can I swap out the cheese type?

Sure thing, you can try goat cheese or ricotta instead of feta, but it'll change the taste a bit.

→ Will cherry tomatoes work too?

Definitely! Cherry tomatoes are a perfect swap and they'll give you that same juicy pop when they're baked.

→ Which pasta shape is ideal for this meal?

The recipe calls for bow ties, but you can't go wrong with penne, fusilli, or any shape that grabs onto sauce nicely.

→ How do I turn this into a vegan meal?

For a vegan version, grab a plant-based feta alternative and double-check that your pasta doesn't contain eggs.

→ Can I throw in extra stuff?

Go for it! Try adding some crushed garlic, a handful of spinach, or chunks of cooked chicken to mix things up.