Viral Baked Feta Pasta Simple and Delicious Recipe

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- Pasta options: You can use 200g of penne or fusilli. Both types work well. - Key ingredients: The star of this dish is a 200g block of feta cheese. Pair it with 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes for flavor. - Additional seasoning and garnishes: Use 1/4 cup of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a fresh touch, add lemon zest and juice from one lemon. Finally, top with fresh basil leaves for garnish. These ingredients create a creamy and delicious sauce. The feta cheese melts beautifully with the tomatoes. The garlic adds a nice punch of flavor. The lemon zest brightens the dish, making it perfect for any meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking. While it heats, grab a large baking dish. Place your block of feta cheese right in the center. Next, take 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes and arrange them around the feta. Sprinkle 4 minced garlic cloves over everything. This adds great flavor. Drizzle 1/4 cup of olive oil over the top. Finally, season with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Now it's time to bake! Place the dish in your oven and set the timer for 25 minutes. During this time, the tomatoes will burst, and the feta will turn golden. Keep an eye on it. The cheese should melt slightly and mix well with the tomatoes. While your dish bakes, cook 200g of pasta. I recommend penne or fusilli. Follow the package instructions and cook until it's al dente. This means it should be firm, not mushy. Before draining, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps create a creamy sauce later. Drain the rest of the water and set the pasta aside. To get a creamy sauce, mix the baked feta and tomatoes well. Use a fork to mash them together. This brings out the sweet tomato flavors and creaminess of the feta. For seasoning, taste as you mix. You can add more salt or pepper if needed. If you like it spicy, toss in more red pepper flakes. Always adjust to your taste. You can prepare this dish in advance. Cook the pasta and roast the feta and tomatoes. Store them separately in the fridge. This way, you can heat them up later and enjoy a quick meal. When reheating, use low heat in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of olive oil to keep it moist. Stir well before serving to mix everything nicely. Pro Tips Use High-Quality Feta: A good quality feta cheese will enhance the flavor of the dish. Opt for a Greek feta for the best results. Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the baking dish for added nutrition and flavor. Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or substitute with a pinch of black pepper. Save Some Pasta Water: The reserved pasta water is starchy and helps to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. {{image_2}} You can get creative with the cheese in this recipe. Instead of feta, try using ricotta or goat cheese. Both add a nice creaminess. Ricotta gives a soft texture, while goat cheese has a tangy flavor. Each swap brings a new taste to your dish. Seasonal vegetables can also change the vibe. In spring, add asparagus or peas. In fall, try roasted butternut squash or Brussels sprouts. These vegetables add color and nutrients to your meal. Mix and match to suit your taste or what's in season. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta. There are great brands that mimic regular pasta well. They cook similarly, so you won’t lose any flavor. Just check the package for cooking times. For a vegan twist, swap the feta for a plant-based alternative. Many brands now offer tasty vegan feta. You can also try using mashed avocado for creaminess. This option keeps your dish light and fresh. To store baked feta pasta, let it cool first. Place it in a container. Use an airtight container for the best results. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can also separate the pasta from the sauce if you prefer. For freezing, use freezer-safe containers. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the bags with the date. This way, you know what you have and when to use it. In the fridge, baked feta pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days. If you stored it properly, it will stay fresh. Look for signs of spoilage. If the pasta smells sour or has a strange color, it’s time to toss it. Mold is also a clear sign that the dish is no longer good. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety. Baked Feta Pasta went viral on social media in early 2021. It started with a Finnish food blogger who shared a simple recipe. The dish quickly gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. People loved how easy it was to make and how delicious it tasted. The combination of creamy feta and juicy tomatoes made it a hit. Now, it's a favorite for many home cooks. You can use pre-crumbled feta cheese, but it may change the texture. Block feta melts better and creates a creamier sauce. Pre-crumbled feta can be grainy and less flavorful. If you want the best results, stick with a block of feta. It gives a rich taste and smooth texture in the final dish. To spice things up, add more red pepper flakes. You can also use fresh jalapeños or diced chili peppers. Another option is to mix in some hot sauce when you toss the pasta. Adjust the heat to match your taste. A little kick can make this dish even more exciting! In this blog post, we explored the key components of baked feta pasta. You learned about the main ingredients, like pasta choices and essential seasonings. I shared step-by-step instructions for prepping, baking, and perfecting your dish. Tips for texture and meal prep help you make it faster. You can even swap ingredients for your taste or dietary needs. Finally, I covered how to store leftovers and answered common questions. Now you have all the tools to create a tasty and easy dish! Enjoy your cooking!

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Have you heard of the viral baked feta pasta that took the internet by storm? This simple recipe mixes creamy feta cheese and sweet cherry tomatoes, creating a dish that is both easy and delicious. You can whip it up in no time, making it perfect for any meal. In this post, I’ll guide you through the steps, tips, and variations to make your own mouthwatering baked feta pasta!

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Why I Love This Recipe

  1. Effortless Preparation: This recipe requires minimal prep time, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
  2. Deliciously Creamy: The combination of baked feta and tomatoes creates a rich, creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
  3. Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level and add your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it your own.
  4. Impressive Presentation: This dish looks visually stunning, making it a great option for entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– Pasta options: You can use 200g of penne or fusilli. Both types work well.

– Key ingredients: The star of this dish is a 200g block of feta cheese. Pair it with 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes for flavor.

– Additional seasoning and garnishes: Use 1/4 cup of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a fresh touch, add lemon zest and juice from one lemon. Finally, top with fresh basil leaves for garnish.

These ingredients create a creamy and delicious sauce. The feta cheese melts beautifully with the tomatoes. The garlic adds a nice punch of flavor. The lemon zest brightens the dish, making it perfect for any meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheating and Preparing the Baking Dish

First, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking. While it heats, grab a large baking dish. Place your block of feta cheese right in the center. Next, take 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes and arrange them around the feta. Sprinkle 4 minced garlic cloves over everything. This adds great flavor. Drizzle 1/4 cup of olive oil over the top. Finally, season with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

Baking Process

Now it’s time to bake! Place the dish in your oven and set the timer for 25 minutes. During this time, the tomatoes will burst, and the feta will turn golden. Keep an eye on it. The cheese should melt slightly and mix well with the tomatoes.

Pasta Preparation

While your dish bakes, cook 200g of pasta. I recommend penne or fusilli. Follow the package instructions and cook until it’s al dente. This means it should be firm, not mushy. Before draining, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps create a creamy sauce later. Drain the rest of the water and set the pasta aside.

Tips & Tricks

Achieving the Perfect Texture

To get a creamy sauce, mix the baked feta and tomatoes well. Use a fork to mash them together. This brings out the sweet tomato flavors and creaminess of the feta.

For seasoning, taste as you mix. You can add more salt or pepper if needed. If you like it spicy, toss in more red pepper flakes. Always adjust to your taste.

Making Ahead

You can prepare this dish in advance. Cook the pasta and roast the feta and tomatoes. Store them separately in the fridge. This way, you can heat them up later and enjoy a quick meal.

When reheating, use low heat in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of olive oil to keep it moist. Stir well before serving to mix everything nicely.

Pro Tips

  1. Use High-Quality Feta: A good quality feta cheese will enhance the flavor of the dish. Opt for a Greek feta for the best results.
  2. Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the baking dish for added nutrition and flavor.
  3. Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or substitute with a pinch of black pepper.
  4. Save Some Pasta Water: The reserved pasta water is starchy and helps to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

Variations

Ingredient Swaps

You can get creative with the cheese in this recipe. Instead of feta, try using ricotta or goat cheese. Both add a nice creaminess. Ricotta gives a soft texture, while goat cheese has a tangy flavor. Each swap brings a new taste to your dish.

Seasonal vegetables can also change the vibe. In spring, add asparagus or peas. In fall, try roasted butternut squash or Brussels sprouts. These vegetables add color and nutrients to your meal. Mix and match to suit your taste or what’s in season.

Dietary Modifications

If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta. There are great brands that mimic regular pasta well. They cook similarly, so you won’t lose any flavor. Just check the package for cooking times.

For a vegan twist, swap the feta for a plant-based alternative. Many brands now offer tasty vegan feta. You can also try using mashed avocado for creaminess. This option keeps your dish light and fresh.

Storage Info

Best Practices for Storing Leftovers

To store baked feta pasta, let it cool first. Place it in a container. Use an airtight container for the best results. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can also separate the pasta from the sauce if you prefer.

For freezing, use freezer-safe containers. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the bags with the date. This way, you know what you have and when to use it.

Shelf Life

In the fridge, baked feta pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days. If you stored it properly, it will stay fresh. Look for signs of spoilage. If the pasta smells sour or has a strange color, it’s time to toss it. Mold is also a clear sign that the dish is no longer good. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety.

FAQs

What is the origin of Baked Feta Pasta?

Baked Feta Pasta went viral on social media in early 2021. It started with a Finnish food blogger who shared a simple recipe. The dish quickly gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. People loved how easy it was to make and how delicious it tasted. The combination of creamy feta and juicy tomatoes made it a hit. Now, it’s a favorite for many home cooks.

Can I use pre-crumbled feta cheese?

You can use pre-crumbled feta cheese, but it may change the texture. Block feta melts better and creates a creamier sauce. Pre-crumbled feta can be grainy and less flavorful. If you want the best results, stick with a block of feta. It gives a rich taste and smooth texture in the final dish.

How do I make this recipe spicier?

To spice things up, add more red pepper flakes. You can also use fresh jalapeños or diced chili peppers. Another option is to mix in some hot sauce when you toss the pasta. Adjust the heat to match your taste. A little kick can make this dish even more exciting!

In this blog post, we explored the key components of baked feta pasta. You learned about the main ingredients, like pasta choices and essential seasonings. I shared step-by-step instructions for prepping, baking, and perfecting your dish. Tips for texture and meal prep help you make it faster. You can even swap ingredients for your taste or dietary needs. Finally, I covered how to store leftovers and answered common questions. Now you have all the tools to create a tasty and easy dish! Enjoy your cookin

- Pasta options: You can use 200g of penne or fusilli. Both types work well. - Key ingredients: The star of this dish is a 200g block of feta cheese. Pair it with 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes for flavor. - Additional seasoning and garnishes: Use 1/4 cup of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For a fresh touch, add lemon zest and juice from one lemon. Finally, top with fresh basil leaves for garnish. These ingredients create a creamy and delicious sauce. The feta cheese melts beautifully with the tomatoes. The garlic adds a nice punch of flavor. The lemon zest brightens the dish, making it perfect for any meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, set your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking. While it heats, grab a large baking dish. Place your block of feta cheese right in the center. Next, take 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes and arrange them around the feta. Sprinkle 4 minced garlic cloves over everything. This adds great flavor. Drizzle 1/4 cup of olive oil over the top. Finally, season with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Now it's time to bake! Place the dish in your oven and set the timer for 25 minutes. During this time, the tomatoes will burst, and the feta will turn golden. Keep an eye on it. The cheese should melt slightly and mix well with the tomatoes. While your dish bakes, cook 200g of pasta. I recommend penne or fusilli. Follow the package instructions and cook until it's al dente. This means it should be firm, not mushy. Before draining, save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. This water is starchy and helps create a creamy sauce later. Drain the rest of the water and set the pasta aside. To get a creamy sauce, mix the baked feta and tomatoes well. Use a fork to mash them together. This brings out the sweet tomato flavors and creaminess of the feta. For seasoning, taste as you mix. You can add more salt or pepper if needed. If you like it spicy, toss in more red pepper flakes. Always adjust to your taste. You can prepare this dish in advance. Cook the pasta and roast the feta and tomatoes. Store them separately in the fridge. This way, you can heat them up later and enjoy a quick meal. When reheating, use low heat in the oven or microwave. Add a splash of olive oil to keep it moist. Stir well before serving to mix everything nicely. Pro Tips Use High-Quality Feta: A good quality feta cheese will enhance the flavor of the dish. Opt for a Greek feta for the best results. Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to the baking dish for added nutrition and flavor. Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or substitute with a pinch of black pepper. Save Some Pasta Water: The reserved pasta water is starchy and helps to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. {{image_2}} You can get creative with the cheese in this recipe. Instead of feta, try using ricotta or goat cheese. Both add a nice creaminess. Ricotta gives a soft texture, while goat cheese has a tangy flavor. Each swap brings a new taste to your dish. Seasonal vegetables can also change the vibe. In spring, add asparagus or peas. In fall, try roasted butternut squash or Brussels sprouts. These vegetables add color and nutrients to your meal. Mix and match to suit your taste or what's in season. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta. There are great brands that mimic regular pasta well. They cook similarly, so you won’t lose any flavor. Just check the package for cooking times. For a vegan twist, swap the feta for a plant-based alternative. Many brands now offer tasty vegan feta. You can also try using mashed avocado for creaminess. This option keeps your dish light and fresh. To store baked feta pasta, let it cool first. Place it in a container. Use an airtight container for the best results. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can also separate the pasta from the sauce if you prefer. For freezing, use freezer-safe containers. You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label the bags with the date. This way, you know what you have and when to use it. In the fridge, baked feta pasta lasts about 3 to 4 days. If you stored it properly, it will stay fresh. Look for signs of spoilage. If the pasta smells sour or has a strange color, it’s time to toss it. Mold is also a clear sign that the dish is no longer good. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety. Baked Feta Pasta went viral on social media in early 2021. It started with a Finnish food blogger who shared a simple recipe. The dish quickly gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. People loved how easy it was to make and how delicious it tasted. The combination of creamy feta and juicy tomatoes made it a hit. Now, it's a favorite for many home cooks. You can use pre-crumbled feta cheese, but it may change the texture. Block feta melts better and creates a creamier sauce. Pre-crumbled feta can be grainy and less flavorful. If you want the best results, stick with a block of feta. It gives a rich taste and smooth texture in the final dish. To spice things up, add more red pepper flakes. You can also use fresh jalapeños or diced chili peppers. Another option is to mix in some hot sauce when you toss the pasta. Adjust the heat to match your taste. A little kick can make this dish even more exciting! In this blog post, we explored the key components of baked feta pasta. You learned about the main ingredients, like pasta choices and essential seasonings. I shared step-by-step instructions for prepping, baking, and perfecting your dish. Tips for texture and meal prep help you make it faster. You can even swap ingredients for your taste or dietary needs. Finally, I covered how to store leftovers and answered common questions. Now you have all the tools to create a tasty and easy dish! Enjoy your cooking!

Viral Baked Feta Pasta

A creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring baked feta cheese and cherry tomatoes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g pasta of choice (penne or fusilli recommended)
  • 200 g block of feta cheese
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 4 cup olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a large baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center.
  • Surround the feta with the halved cherry tomatoes and sprinkle the minced garlic over the top.
  • Drizzle the olive oil over the feta, tomatoes, and garlic, then season with oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden.
  • While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
  • After baking, carefully remove the dish from the oven and use a fork to mash the baked feta and tomatoes together, creating a creamy sauce.
  • Add the drained pasta to the baking dish, along with the reserved pasta water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
  • Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if necessary.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
Keyword baked, cherry tomatoes, easy, feta, pasta

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