Baked Feta Pasta is all the rage right now on TikTok and rightfully so! With only 5 ingredients this easy dinner recipes comes together in under an hour with very little effort.
Feta and pasta don’t seem like they are an obvious match. So when I came across the uber viral videos on TikTok sharing how to make this easy Baked Feta Pasta I knew I had to try for myself! I always love recipes that require just a few ingredients, and that are pretty hands off. This recipe is just that.
Family verdict: Two out of the four people in my family loved the pasta. My 6 year old and myself were those who loved this pasta. My husband and daughter liked it, but definitely weren’t in love with it. Next time, I’ll pair a protein with it (see FAQs for my recommendations) and I think the other two will enjoy it more.
Baked Feta Pasta: Table of contents
Ingredients for Feta Cheese Pasta
- Tomatoes – The size of your tomatoes matter. Using larger ones will take longer to roast and break down. Smaller grape tomatoes are best for this recipe.
- Feta – A whole block of feta is what is needed for this recipe to work. I purchased a massive two pound block of feta from Sam’s Club for only $11. I was able to get 4 large pieces out of the block which is much cheaper then the single block you would buy at the grocery store for around $5.
- Garlic – Smash the garlic prior to placing in the baking dish for roasting. Or keep the garlic still in it’s peel and squeeze out before you smash the tomatoes and feta after baking. I found when I left the garlic cloves whole and not in the skin it did not soften like I had expected.
- Pasta – Any pasta works for this recipe. Use whatever you have on hand.
- Seasonings – I used fresh parsley and basil that I chopped in mixed in right before I served the pasta. However, if you don’t have fresh herbs on hand you can sprinkle some Italian Seasoning or even dried oregano or basil.
How to make Feta Pasta
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While oven preheats, add half the olive oil to a shallow baking dish or 5 quart oven-proof skillet. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Season with black pepper.
- Mix well then make space for the block of feta.
- Add the feta to the pot. Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
- Bake for 35 minutes at 425 degrees.
- While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the pasta according to the package. Drain and set to the side.
- Once the timer is up. Turn the broiler on high and broil for 2-4 minutes until the top of the feta has a golden crust to it and tomatoes begin to blister with color.
- Carefully, remove from the oven. Using a fork or wooden spoon, smash the garlic, tomatoes, and feta until well combined. Add in the pasta, mix and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Enjoy immediately.
Feta Pasta: FAQs
I’m here to answer all the questions you might have on making this feta pasta bake!
The pasta should be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Yes, you can definitely add protein to the feta pasta. I would suggest grilled chicken, shrimp, or a salmon filet. Any of these proteins would pair best.
I like to use any type of pasta that has a shape like a tubed pasta; penne, ziti, Orecchiette, or bow tie (what I used for this recipe) or even cavatappi pasta. I have also seen others mix in spaghetti, bucatini, pappardelle, or even fettuccine.
You can add a half to a full cup of the cooked pasta water to the smashed feta and tomatoes. This will help thin out the sauce.
Yes, always make sure you salt your pasta water. This will help flavor the pasta during the cooking process.
I like to cook a pound of pasta to ensure we have leftovers. If you are cooking for 3-4 adults you could easily cut the pasta portion in half. Instead of a full pound, cook a half pound of pasta. Do not change anything about the baked feta ingredients. It will yield a creamier sauce.
Feta Cheese Pasta Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making pasta with feta cheese and cherry tomatoes.
- Use a smaller baking dish – This is one recipe where you actually want to crowd the food together. So use a smaller baking dish so that all the tomatoes are touching one another.
- Smaller tomatoes work best – I have not tested this recipe with chopped tomatoes nor have I with larger tomatoes. You really want smaller tomatoes like grape or cherry tomatoes for this recipe.
- Like it Spicy? – Like it spicy? Add some red pepper flakes to the feta just before mixing the cooked tomatoes and feta together.
- Save the Pasta Water – If you like your pasta saucy you will want to add extra grape tomatoes before roasting. You’ll also want to reserve up to 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to add into the feta tomato mixture to help thin out the sauce.
- Broil – I found that you will want to turn the broiler on high for the last few minutes of cooking to really char and give that golden crust to the feta and tomatoes. Just make sure you watch it closely.
Recipes with Feta
We love feta cheese in my house so it’s only natural that I would have quite a few feta recipes on Katie’s Cucina. Here are a few of my favorite.
If you make this feta pasta bake, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list! This recipe is available as a Google Web Story.
Baked Feta Pasta
Equipment
- Stove Top
- Oven
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Olive Oil divided
- 2 pints Grape Tomatoes
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 5 Smashed Garlic Cloves
- 8 oz. Block of Feta
- 1 lb. Pasta
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While oven preheats, add half the olive oil to a shallow baking dish or 5 quart oven-proof skillet. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Season with black pepper. Mix well then make space for the block of feta.
- Add the feta to the pot. Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
- Bake for 35 minutes at 425 degrees.
- While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the pasta according to the package. Drain and set to the side.
- Once the timer is up. Turn the broiler on high and broil for 2-4 minutes until the top of the feta has a golden crust to it and tomatoes begin to blister with color.
- Carefully, remove from the oven. Using a fork or wooden spoon, smash the garlic, tomatoes, and feta until well combined. Add in the pasta, mix and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use a smaller baking dish – This is one recipe where you actually want to crowd the food together. So use a smaller baking dish so that all the tomatoes are touching one another.
- Smaller tomatoes work best – I have not tested this recipe with chopped tomatoes nor have I with larger tomatoes. You really want smaller tomatoes like grape or cherry tomatoes for this recipe.
- Like it Spicy? – Like it spicy? Add some red pepper flakes to the feta just before mixing the cooked tomatoes and feta together.
- Salt Pasta Water – Always make sure you salt your pasta water. This will help flavor the pasta during the cooking process.
- Save the Pasta Water – If you like your pasta saucy you will want to add extra grape tomatoes before roasting. You’ll also want to reserve up to 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to add into the feta tomato mixture to help thin out the sauce.
- Broil – I found that you will want to turn the broiler on high for the last few minutes of cooking to really char and give that golden crust to the feta and tomatoes. Just make sure you watch it closely.
Nutrition
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Sally
This was a very good pasta recipe. Used crumbled feta in the middle of the tomatoes and added homemade basil in olive oil to the pasta and chopped cilantro to the top. I think it turned out just as good.
Thank you for the tasty recipe.
Katie
Sally, thank you for taking the time to leave a 5 star comment! So happy to read you loved this recipe!
Connie
I just happened onto this recipe and it looks so delicious! With two teenage girls in the house I’m always looking for meals that are a little more filling. Can’t wait to try it!.
Katie
Hi Connie–I hope you and your girls love it as much as my family does! Once you make it, please come back and leave a review! 😉
J Ziola
Love this recipe
Katie
Thank you!
Barbara S.
It sounds and looks yummy! I forwarded the recipe to my husband already! I know that we’ll enjoy it! Thanks for sharing it!
Katie
Thank you Barbara! Once you make it let me know how you enjoy it!