Description
This Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes is the viral recipe that became a worldwide sensation. A block of feta cheese bakes with juicy cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil until creamy and bursting with flavor, then gets tossed with pasta for an irresistibly simple dinner. It’s creamy, tangy, comforting, and customizable — perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, or casual entertaining. With just one dish and a handful of ingredients, this pasta dinner is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 600g)
- 1 block (8 oz / 225g) feta cheese
- ½ cup (120ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz (340g) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, farfalle)
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the dish: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, toss cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Nestle the block of feta in the center and drizzle with more olive oil.
- Roast: Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until tomatoes are blistered and the feta is golden and softened.
- Cook pasta: While baking, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Make the sauce: Mash roasted feta and tomatoes together into a creamy sauce. Add pasta and toss until coated, adding reserved water as needed.
- Finish and serve: Stir in fresh basil, adjust seasoning, and top with parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Always use a block of feta — crumbled feta won’t melt properly.
- Choose ripe cherry tomatoes for the sweetest flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Best served fresh — leftovers may need extra olive oil when reheating.
- Customize by adding spinach, grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, One-Pot, Viral Recipe
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Baked Feta Pasta, Viral Pasta Recipe, Cherry Tomato Pasta, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Garlic Feta Pasta