Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is a viral, effortless, and rich oven-baked dinner. A full block of creamy feta cheese is baked alongside juicy cherry tomatoes, chopped onions, and whole garlic cloves until softened and burst with flavor.
Mashed directly in the baking dish into a rustic sauce and enriched with a splash of cooking cream, this tangy tomato sauce clings perfectly to tender pasta. Finished with fresh coriander, it offers a quick, gourmet-style dinner in under 30 minutes!
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Servings: 3–4 portions
Ingredients
- 300g (10.5 oz) pasta of choice (Penne, Fusilli, or Farfalle)
- 200g (7 oz) feta cheese (1 whole block)
- 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ cup cooking cream (or heavy cream)
- ¼ cup fresh coriander (cilantro) or basil, chopped
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt (adjust according to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Assemble the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large baking dish, place the block of feta cheese right in the center. Scatter the fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, and garlic cloves around the feta block.
2. Season and Bake
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil generously over the feta cheese and surrounding vegetables. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a light pinch of salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes burst and the feta cheese becomes soft and lightly golden.
3. Cook the Pasta
While the dish bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta.
4. Mash into a Creamy Sauce
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the roasted feta, burst cherry tomatoes, soft garlic, and onions together directly inside the dish until a smooth, rustic sauce forms.
5. Add Cream and Toss Pasta
Pour in the cooking cream and mix thoroughly until the sauce becomes silky. Add the boiled pasta and freshly chopped coriander into the baking dish. Toss well until every piece of pasta is fully coated in the creamy feta sauce. (Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to adjust the thickness).
6. Serve Warm
Transfer to serving plates and enjoy hot!
Helpful Cooking Tips
- Watch the Salt: Feta cheese is naturally briny and salty, so taste the mashed sauce before adding extra salt to the dish.
- Use Block Feta: Whole block feta in brine melts significantly better than crumbled feta cheese.
- Save Pasta Water: The starchy water helps smooth out the melted feta and cream into a silky sauce that clings to the pasta shape.
Tasty Customization Ideas
- Add Vegetables: Add sliced baby spinach, zucchini cubes, or bell peppers around the feta before baking.
- Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken strips, roasted shrimp, or cooked Italian sausage.
- Spicy Kick: Add ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or chili oil to the tomatoes before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Baked Feta Pasta hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, warm garlic bread, or a simple crisp green side salad!
