Description
This Baked Feta Pasta 2.0 recipe is a delicious twist on the viral baked feta pasta trend. It features creamy baked feta cheese combined with burst cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and caramelized onions, tossed with al dente pasta and fresh basil for a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz dried short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
Cheese and Vegetables
- 7 oz block feta cheese
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Oils
- 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the feta and tomato mixture.
- Tomato and Seasonings Mixture: In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season generously with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything to coat the tomatoes evenly.
- Add Feta Cheese: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture in the baking dish. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the feta and season the cheese lightly with black pepper.
- Bake Tomato and Feta Assembly: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is soft and golden around the edges.
- Caramelize Onions: While the feta and tomatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the caramelized onions and chopped fresh basil to the baked feta and tomato mixture. Stir thoroughly, breaking up the feta to create a creamy, cohesive sauce.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the baking dish. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Garnish the finished pasta with extra fresh basil leaves and an additional drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use block feta rather than crumbled for the best creamy sauce texture.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add depth of flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Caramelizing onions adds sweetness and richness, but can be skipped if short on time.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Reserved pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta.
- Serve this pasta fresh; it’s best eaten right after cooking for optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy baked feta, caramelized onion pasta, Mediterranean pasta recipe, easy dinner pasta
