Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Recipe
This easy and delicious Baked Feta Pasta combines creamy, oven-melted feta cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes and perfectly cooked cavatappi pasta, tossed with fresh basil and garlic for a flavorful, comforting meal that comes together in just over 40 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces cavatappi pasta (or pasta of choice)
Tomatoes and Cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounce block feta cheese
Seasonings and Extras
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (packed and chopped, plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the cherry tomatoes into an oven-safe baking dish. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the tomatoes, then season with salt and black pepper. Toss the tomatoes gently to coat all evenly with the oil and seasoning.
- Add feta cheese: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish among the cherry tomatoes. Toss or flip the feta a couple of times so it gets coated with olive oil and seasoning as well.
- Bake the mixture: Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. During this time, the cherry tomatoes will burst open, and the feta cheese will soften and melt, creating a creamy base for the pasta sauce.
- Cook the pasta: While the tomatoes and feta bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water to potentially adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Add garlic and basil to baked mixture: Once the tomatoes and feta are baked, immediately add the minced garlic and chopped basil leaves to the hot mixture. Toss well to combine and allow the garlic to slightly mellow and infuse the flavors.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta directly into the baking dish with the baked feta and tomatoes. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy tomato sauce. Use some of the reserved pasta cooking water if the sauce needs loosening to better coat the pasta.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and serve the dish warm for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- The pasta cooking water is starchy and helps loosen the sauce, making it creamier without adding extra fat or flour.
- You can substitute cavatappi with other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli based on your preference.
- For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when mixing in the garlic and basil.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- To make it vegetarian, ensure the feta cheese is made with vegetable rennet.
Keywords: baked feta pasta, roasted cherry tomatoes, easy pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, vegetarian pasta, baked pasta dish
