Baked Feta Pasta 2.0 (Print version)
Creamy feta, caramelised onions, and tomatoes create a vibrant Mediterranean pasta, ideal for weeknight meals.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni
→ Cheese
02 - 7 oz block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus extra for serving
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss well.
03 - Position the feta block in the center of the dish among the tomatoes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle lightly with black pepper.
04 - Bake for 25–30 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta cheese is golden and softened.
05 - While baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sliced onions. Stir occasionally and cook for 15–20 minutes, until deeply caramelised and golden brown. Set aside.
06 - During onion caramelisation, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente following package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
07 - Remove baking dish from oven. Add caramelised onions and chopped basil to the dish. Stir thoroughly, breaking up feta to create a creamy sauce.
08 - Add cooked pasta to the dish and toss until evenly coated. Incorporate reserved pasta water as needed for desired sauce texture.
09 - Plate immediately, garnishing each serving with fresh basil and drizzling olive oil if desired.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Deep, layered Mediterranean flavor
- Easy to make for a weeknight dinner
02 -
- Contains milk (feta cheese) and wheat (pasta). Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Double-check sun-dried tomatoes for potential cross-contamination if needed.
03 -
- Reserve pasta water for a creamier sauce, adding a little at a time as you toss.
- Use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred.