Baked Feta Pasta
Let me share the tale of another viral TikTok trend that I was initially inclined to dislike… but couldn't. It's not that I doubted the deliciousness of the idea. It's just that the whole concept appeared too straightforward. Roasting a block of feta with bursting tomatoes seemed like an obvious win. But could it truly be extraordinary enough to go viral?To my begrudging acknowledgment, the answer is a resounding yes. It's nothing short of genius. However, dare I admit, it's not entirely flawless?
Ingredients
- 2 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 shallot, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (8-oz.) block feta
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 10 oz. pasta
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and all but 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.
- Place feta into center of tomato mixture and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over tomatoes. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) and stir until combined. Garnish with basil.
Nutrition
Calories: 2813kcalCarbohydrates: 246gProtein: 79gFat: 162gSaturated Fat: 50gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 3380mgPotassium: 2802mgFiber: 22gSugar: 41gCalcium: 1339mgIron: 10mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!