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Baked Feta Pasta (TikTok Pasta) Recipe

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4.3 from 53 reviews

Delicious and creamy Baked Feta Pasta featuring roasted grape tomatoes, garlic, and a block of feta cheese baked to perfection and tossed with al dente pasta, fresh spinach, and aromatic herbs. This easy-to-make recipe combines the tangy richness of baked feta with vibrant fresh ingredients, resulting in a comforting, flavorful dinner that is perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Tomato and Feta Mixture

  • 2 pints (20 oz) grape tomatoes
  • 5 medium garlic cloves, peeled and halved
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 7 – 8 oz block feta cheese (sheep’s milk variety, such as Murray’s), drained

Pasta and Greens

  • 10 oz dry pasta (campanelle, rigatoni, rotini, penne, bow tie, or cavatappi)
  • 8 oz spinach, roughly chopped (about 8 packed cups)

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the grape tomatoes and halved garlic cloves in a 3-quart baking dish.
  2. Toss tomatoes with oil and season: Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and garlic. Add a few pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper, then gently toss to coat everything evenly. Place the block of drained feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes, turning it to coat with olive oil.
  3. Bake initially: Bake the tomato and feta mixture in the center of the preheated oven for 30 minutes to soften the tomatoes and melt the feta.
  4. Increase heat for browning: Remove the baking dish, raise the oven rack to the upper third of the oven, and increase the temperature to 450°F (232°C). Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the tomatoes and feta begin to brown slightly.
  5. Cook pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a large pot of salted water (about 3 to 4 quarts with 1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  6. Wilt spinach with pasta: Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water. Just before draining the pasta, add the roughly chopped spinach directly into the pasta water to wilt it almost instantly. Drain the pasta and spinach together.
  7. Combine baked feta mixture: Using the back of a wooden spoon, smash the baked tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and melted feta together into a creamy sauce.
  8. Toss pasta with sauce and herbs: Add the drained pasta and spinach to the baking dish with the smashed tomato and feta mixture. Toss to combine thoroughly. Add the fresh basil, parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  9. Adjust consistency and seasoning: Slowly add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Season the pasta with additional salt and black pepper as needed.
  10. Serve: Serve the Baked Feta Pasta warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

  • You can use any short pasta shape like campanelle, rigatoni, rotini, penne, bow tie, or cavatappi.
  • Murray’s feta or a sheep’s milk feta is recommended for authentic flavor and texture.
  • Reserve some pasta water to help thin the sauce and bind everything together.
  • Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
  • Wilt spinach directly in the pasta water to save time and retain nutrients.
  • This dish is best served immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/baked-feta-pasta-tiktok-pasta-recipe/