Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 block of feta cheese (about 7-8 ounces)
- 2 pints of cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 10 ounces of pasta (penne or fusilli work great)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Lemon zest, for an optional finishing touch
If you can’t find a block of feta, crumbled feta will work too, but the block gives a creamier texture when baked. Feel free to swap the cherry tomatoes for grape tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
Instructions
Let’s walk through this delightful recipe with step-by-step instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Surround it with cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the feta and tomatoes. Sprinkle the minced garlic and red pepper flakes over the top. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is golden and soft.
- While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to gently mash the feta and tomatoes, mixing them together to create a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Finish with fresh basil leaves and lemon zest, if using, for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International