Description

Baked Feta Pasta is a delightful dish featuring roasted tomatoes, garlic, and creamy feta. This simple and tasty recipe makes a wonderful quick dinner that is both satisfying and healthy.

Ingredients

Scale

20 oz grape tomatoes
5 medium garlic cloves, peeled and halved
8 oz spinach, roughly chopped about 8 packed cups
1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
7 – 8 oz block feta cheese (sheep's milk variety) drained
10 oz dry pasta such as campanelle, rigatoni, rotini, penne, bow tie, or cavatappi
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp salt for pasta water
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes or more to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup reserved pasta water

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
In a 3-quart baking dish, combine grape tomatoes and garlic. Toss them with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Center the feta cheese in the dish and coat it with oil.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the dish, adjust the oven rack to the upper third, and raise the temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the tomatoes and feta start to brown.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions.
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Just before draining, add the spinach to the pasta to wilt it. Drain both together.
Use the back of a wooden spoon to smash the roasted tomatoes, garlic, oil, and feta in the baking dish.
Combine the cooked pasta and spinach with the smashed mixture. Add basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
Gradually mix in reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Notes

For additional flavor, consider adding more herbs like oregano or thyme.
Feel free to substitute the pasta type with your favorites or whatever you have on hand.
Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 30mg