If you've been around social media in the last few months you have probably seen this delicious recipe for baked feta pasta. This easy-to-make pasta dish is based around roasting a pan of tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese that mixes in with your favorite pasta for a rich, cheesy, and creamy pasta dish that is always a hit!
Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes
Tik Tok has inspired a lot of popular recipes over the last year, and that is a great thing when it creates delicious choices like this easy pasta. This recipe is ideal for making to serve friends and family as it is impressive, delicious, and takes little effort on your part.
If you want to see some more of the Tik Tik inspired recipes, check out this caramel apple tortilla wrap, the pepperoni pizza wrap, or this easy breakfast tortilla wrap all inspired by Tik Tok tortilla hacks.
What is Baked Feta Pasta?
This recently popular pasta dish is not a new creation but has been revitalized due to its popularity on social media channels. The pasta is a baked dish that uses a block of feta, olive oil, tomatoes, and garlic as a baked "sauce" to stir in with your favorite pasta. It has some variations but is fairly basic and easy to make. Since it is simple, it's ideal for someone who wants a "fancy" pasta dish with little effort.
Can I Make This With Feta Crumbles?
Traditional Greek Feta cheese is a creamier cheese found in blocks versus crumbled. You may find that this is not as easy to find in a regular supermarket but would be in stores such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Fresh Thyme where you may find more specialty items.
If you do not have access to the block of feta, you can use crumbles but it will be a crumbly texture and not smooth and creamy. You will also need to add some of the pasta water and ¼ cup ricotta cheese to the mixture to create that creaminess on the pasta you desire.
Other recommended options that have been used with good success are cream cheese and Boursin cheese. Both result in the creaminess you want with a rich flavor that pairs well alongside the tomatoes and the garlic in the recipe.
What Tomatoes Should I Use?
The best choice is a cherry tomato or grape tomato. You want the smaller tomatoes that tend to be more flavorful. These will roast and burst to create that juicy flavorful tomato you want to be mixed into the pasta.
If you do not have those on hand, you can use chopped Roma tomatoes with a similar result. They won't be as good, but they are a good choice to use in a pinch.
Can I Add Different Seasonings to The Pasta?
You can definitely add more flavor to the recipe with the addition of some extra herbs. While I like the freshness of basil on top of the dish, it is also nice to add more herbs in with the tomatoes and cheese as it bakes. You can do this with a total tablespoon of dried herbs. An Italian seasoning blend would work great, but you can also add just basil, oregano, or even thyme.
If using fresh herbs, I recommend sticking with basil and oregano, or just a bit of thyme into the mixture. Thyme and oregano are best cooked with the feta and tomatoes, but basil I find is best as a fresher garnish or mixed in just as the recipe is done cooking.
Should I Serve This With Meat?
Unlike many pasta dishes, this one doesn't include a meat protein. That doesn't mean you can't add it to the dish! We often keep grilled chicken breasts prepped for easy meals, and this is one dish it would go great in. Below are a few other ideas you might like with this pasta dish.
- Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or baked chicken chopped or shredded.
- Shrimp that has been boiled, grilled, or sauteed.
- Ribeye or sirloin steak grilled and thinly sliced.
- Salmon that has been cooked and flaked.
- Sauteed mushrooms.
Can I Make This With Any Pasta?
While you can use any pasta to make this recipe, it is best with a thicker pasta that has some texture to hold the sauce. I find that rigatoni, penne, cavatappi, Caravelle, and similar are the best choices for this recipe. They keep a nice mouthfeel when al dente and hold onto the sauce easily. Plus the size is bite-sized so pairs well with the tomatoes added into the recipe.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes
- Garlic cloves
- Olive oil
- Greek feta cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Rigatoni
- Fresh basil
Handy Kitchen Tools
- 8" x 8" baking dish
- Pasta pot
- Cutting board
- Knives
- Garlic press (if prefer smaller pieces)
How to Make Baked Feta Pasta
Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
Pour cleaned tomatoes and garlic into the baking dish and cover with half the oil and then season with approximately ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Toss the tomatoes and garlic so they are coated well.
Add the block of feta (or other chosen cheese) to the center of the baking dish.
Drizzle the remaining oil over the top of the feta and then season with the remaining salt and black pepper.
Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the tomatoes are cooked and the skin has burst.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Draine, and if not using a block of feta, reserve the pasta water.
Once baked, use a fork to mash the tomatoes and feta together.
Stir together until a thick sauce is formed.
Add the pasta to the dish and coat well.
Add additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve with fresh chopped basil on top.
More Yummy Pasta Recipes
Pasta is definitely one of our favorite ways to create a meal. Below you will find a few of our other favorite dishes that are all about the pasta. Whether you like a simple or complex dish, this list definitely has something to please your tastebuds.
- Easy 30-Minute Chicken Pasta Primavera
- Ultimate Lobster Mac and Cheese with Sherry Cream Sauce
- Easiest Homemade Egg Noodles You'll Ever Make
- Rich Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff
- Southern-Style Baked Macaroni and Cheese
📖 Recipe
Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes {Tik Tok Pasta Recipe}
This Tik Tok inspired pasta recipe is such a great choice for serving to friends and family. This baked feta pasta with tomatoes is delicious and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 12 oz. rigatoni (340 gm)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (400 gm)
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (55 gm)
- ¾ teaspoon salt, divided (4.5 gm)
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper, divided (4.5 gm)
- 8 oz. block GREEK feta cheese (225 gm)
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (5 gm)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Pour cleaned tomatoes and garlic into the baking dish and cover with half the oil and then season with approximately ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
- Toss the tomatoes and garlic so they are coated well.
- Add the block of feta (or other chosen cheese) to the center of the baking dish.
- Drizzle the remaining oil over the top of the feta and then season with the remaining salt and black pepper.
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the tomatoes are cooked and the skin has burst.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Draine, and if not using a block of feta, reserve the pasta water.
- Once baked, use a fork or spoon to mash the tomatoes and feta together and stir until combined.
- Add the pasta to the dish and coat well.
- Add additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve with fresh chopped basil on top.
Notes
The feta can be substituted with ricotta, cream cheese, or Boursin cheese if preferred.
Recommended Products
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Garlic Press Professional Heavy Soft-Handled Crush Garlic (11X7CM)
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Cuisinart 9-Inch Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware Square Cake Pan, Silver
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Gotham Steel 5 Quart Multipurpose Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid & Twist and Lock Handles, Nonstick Copper Surface Makes for Effortless Cleanup with Tempered Glass Lid, Dishwasher Safe
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Garlic Press, Stainless Steel Garlic Press Tool with Cleaning Brush and Silicone Garlic Peeler 3 Pcs By Lechay
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Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen
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Wood Cutting Board Set - Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove - Kitchen Chopping Board for Meat (Butcher Block) Cheese and Vegetables | Heavy Duty Serving Tray w/Handles (3-Pieces)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 422Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 961mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 14g
Rachel
Where does the garlic come in? I assume you put it in when you do the tomatoes but you never mention them.
Katie Hale
I apologize for the omission. It has been updated. The garlic goes in with the tomatoes.