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To make this tasty feta pasta bake, gather these items: - 200g pasta (penne or fusilli are great) - 200g feta cheese, at room temperature - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish - Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional) I love using penne or fusilli for this dish. Both shapes hold sauce well. Penne has ridges that grab flavor. Fusilli twists add fun to the plate. You can use any pasta you like, but these work best. For extra flavor, try these toppings: - Grated Parmesan cheese enhances richness. - Fresh basil leaves add bright flavor. - A drizzle of olive oil gives a nice finish. Feel free to mix and match. Get creative with your toppings! First, set your oven to 200°C (392°F). Preheating helps the veggies blister and the feta melt. This step is key for great flavor. Grab a large, oven-safe dish. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 finely chopped onion. Toss in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano. If you like heat, add chili flakes too. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until everything is coated nicely. Place the dish in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Watch for the tomatoes to blister and the feta to soften. You want it bubbling and inviting. While the veggies bake, boil salted water in a pot. Cook 200g of pasta, like penne or fusilli, until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. After baking, take the dish out of the oven. Use a fork to mash the melted feta into the veggies. This creates a creamy sauce that binds everything together. Add the drained pasta to the baking dish. Mix it well with the creamy sauce. If you want, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese melts and gets a bit golden. Once done, let it cool a moment. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your delicious meal! To get a smooth and creamy sauce, use a fork to mash the feta cheese. This helps blend it with the cooked vegetables. Make sure to bake the feta until it softens well. The warmth from the pasta and veggies helps create a rich texture. If you want even more creaminess, stir in a splash of pasta water after combining everything. Serve this dish straight from the baking dish. It looks great and keeps the food warm. For a special touch, drizzle more olive oil on top. Add a few fresh basil leaves for color and flavor. You can also offer grated Parmesan on the side, so guests can add as much as they like. One mistake is not preheating the oven. This can cause uneven cooking. Make sure to watch the baking time. Overbaking can dry out the dish. Another common error is not salting the pasta water. This step is key for flavor. Lastly, don’t skip mashing the feta enough. If you leave it in big chunks, you won’t get that creamy blend. {{image_4}} You can easily boost this dish with protein. Chicken and shrimp work great. For chicken, use cooked, shredded breast meat. Toss it into the pasta before baking. For shrimp, add peeled and deveined shrimp in the vegetable mix. They cook quickly and add a nice bite. Consider cooking both proteins in olive oil and garlic for extra flavor. If you want a vegetarian version, skip the meat. You can add more veggies, like spinach or zucchini. For a vegan option, replace feta with a plant-based cheese. Silken tofu blended with lemon and nutritional yeast can mimic the creamy texture. Don't forget to season well for the best taste. To adjust the spice level, play with the chili flakes. Use more if you love heat. For a milder dish, skip the flakes or use a small amount. You can also add sweet bell peppers for flavor without the heat. If you want a kick, try adding jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. After enjoying your feta pasta bake, let any leftovers cool down. Transfer them to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This keeps the flavors fresh. Make sure to seal it well. If you want, you can add a layer of plastic wrap before closing the lid. To freeze your pasta bake, wait until it cools completely. Place it in a freezer-safe container. You can also use freezer bags. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. The dish can last in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Reheat your pasta bake in the oven for the best texture. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the dish to an oven-safe container if needed. Cover it with aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until it’s hot throughout. If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Just heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. Enjoy it warm with a sprinkle of fresh basil! Yes, you can use different cheese. Goat cheese works well. You might also try ricotta or cream cheese. Each cheese gives a unique taste. Just remember, feta cheese adds a salty flavor. So, if you swap it out, adjust the salt in the dish. Penne or fusilli are great choices. They hold sauce well. You can also use rotini or farfalle. Each shape adds fun to your plate. Avoid thin pasta like spaghetti. It may not hold the creamy sauce as well. Leftovers can last up to three days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container. To keep the pasta fresh, avoid adding too much extra sauce. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave. Just add a splash of water to keep it moist. Yes, you can prepare it ahead. Make the mixture and store it in the fridge. When ready, just bake it. If you want to freeze it, assemble the dish, then cover it well. Bake it from frozen, but it may take longer. The blog post covered how to make a delicious feta pasta bake. I shared the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned about pasta types, optional toppings, and how to achieve a creamy texture. Variations allow for protein changes or spice adjustments, catering to every taste. Lastly, I provided storage and reheating advice to keep your dish fresh. Enjoy your cooking, and remember, practice makes perfect! You’ll impress everyone with this simple yet flavorful recipe.

Viral TikTok Feta Pasta Bake

Dive into this delicious Creamy Mediterranean Feta Pasta Bake that combines rich flavors and vibrant ingredients in one easy dish! With creamy feta, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a hint of spice, this recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or gathering. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a meal even busy cooks can master. Click through to explore the full recipe and elevate your weeknight dinner with this satisfying pasta bake!
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Ingredients
  

200g pasta (penne or fusilli are excellent choices)

200g feta cheese, at room temperature

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 medium onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: First, preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). This ensures that it’s hot enough to blister the vegetables and soften the feta during cooking.

    Prepare the Vegetable Base: In a large, oven-safe baking dish, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, and finely chopped onion. Add the minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, chili flakes (if desired), along with a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.

      Add the Feta: Create a small space in the center of the vegetable mixture and place the block of feta cheese there. Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the feta and sprinkle additional pepper if you enjoy a little extra flavor.

        Bake the Mixture: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for the tomatoes to become blistered, the feta to soften and begin to melt, and everything to bubble enticingly.

          Cook the Pasta: While the vegetables and feta are baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.

            Mash and Combine: After baking, carefully remove the dish from the oven. Using a fork, mash the softened feta cheese into the vegetable mixture to create a creamy sauce. The warmth will help to blend the flavors beautifully.

              Mix the Pasta: Add the drained pasta directly into the baking dish and gently mix until all the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy feta and vegetable sauce.

                Add Toppings: If you’d like an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta mixture. Return the dish to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a slightly golden crust.

                  Garnish and Serve: Once finished, take the dish out of the oven and let it cool for a moment. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor, then serve warm.

                    Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4

                      - Presentation Tips: For an appealing presentation, serve directly from the baking dish, allowing guests to help themselves. Consider drizzling a little extra olive oil on top and adding a few whole basil leaves for visual impact. Enjoy!