Baked Feta Pasta
 
 
Adapted from TikTok
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 pints (20 ounces) ripe grape or cherry tomatoes
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • red pepper flakes (optional)
  • dried oregano (optional)
  • 7 - 8 ounce block of feta (Mt. Vikos recommended)
  • 10 ounces short pasta (Gemelli, Casarecce, Penne, Fusille)
  • 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons julienned basil
Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Place tomatoes in an oven safe baking dish (9x11 works great). Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes, followed by ½ teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat the tomatoes evenly with the olive oil by gently tossing together. Place the feta block in the middle of the baking dish. Sprinkle the top with a few pinches of red pepper flakes and dried oregano. Bake uncovered until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Increase the heat to 450 degrees and continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, about 10 minutes more.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in generously salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
  4. As soon as the feta and tomatoes come out of the oven, stir in the minced garlic. Use the back of a wooden spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a creamy sauce. Toss in the pasta and half of the basil, mixing until pasta is evenly coated. If the pasta seems dry, add a few tablespoons of pasta water. Serve with remaining basil and freshly ground black pepper.
Recipe by My Lilikoi Kitchen at https://www.mylilikoikitchen.com/2021/05/16/baked-feta-pasta/