Creamy Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 8 oz asparagus
ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz block Feta Cheese
- 10 oz penne pasta
- 4 garlic cloves
finely minced, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
or basil, finely minced
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Add tomatoes and asparagus to a 9x13 casserole. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss to combine. Make a space in the center and place your 8 oz block of feta in the pan. Drizzle the top with 1 Tbsp olive oil and another sprinkle of black pepper. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes until tomatoes start to burst.
- 2
About halfway through your baking time, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook according to package instructions, stirring a few times to keep the pasta from sticking. Drain pasta (reserving some cooking water if you decide to add it later).
- 3
After 30 minutes, the tomatoes should burst and start to release their juice. Remove from the oven and immediately stir in remaining minced garlic and parsley and toss to combine. Use the back of a large spoon to press the cheese into the olive oil and stir until cheese is well dispersed in the dish.
- 4
Stir in drained cooked pasta. Add reserved pasta water if desired. Serve warm. Be mindful of those tomatoes (the juicy centers can be very hot if you eat them right away). Add reserved hot pasta water as desired for saucier pasta.
Creamy Baked Feta Pasta
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 236 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving an effortlessly delicious weeknight meal that’s bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors? This Creamy Baked Feta Pasta delivers a satisfying and simple dish that quickly became a global sensation for good reason.
The magic of this dish truly lies in its elegant simplicity. Sweet, juicy cherry or grape tomatoes combine with tender, earthy asparagus and savory, tangy feta cheese. These core ingredients meld beautifully, creating a rich, flavorful experience that coats every piece of pasta, making it much more than just a sauce.
What you can expect is a delightful interplay of textures and tastes. You'll encounter the pleasant burst of cooked tomatoes, the slight bite of crisp-tender asparagus, and the distinctive tang of feta cheese that becomes wonderfully creamy. Freshly minced garlic and parsley (or basil) infuse the entire dish with aromatic notes, adding a layer of brightness and complexity. It’s a comforting yet fresh profile, perfect for a satisfying and relatively light meal.
This Creamy Baked Feta Pasta is highly adaptable to suit your pantry or preferences. If you don't have fresh parsley, fresh basil makes an excellent aromatic substitute, offering a slightly different, but equally delicious, flavor profile. Feel free to use grape tomatoes if cherry tomatoes are unavailable; they work just as well. And if penne isn't your preferred pasta, any short, sturdy pasta shape will happily soak up the delightful sauce.
Serve this vibrant pasta dish as a hearty stand-alone meal for a cozy dinner. It pairs beautifully with a simple, crisp green salad for a complete and utterly satisfying culinary experience.