Let’s talk about one of the easiest, creamiest, most crowd-pleasing pasta dishes that exploded all over social media: Baked Feta Pasta. If you’ve ever wanted to throw dinner together without stressing, this one’s for you. One dish, a few pantry staples, no fancy skills required — just that salty, creamy feta magic.
Why Everyone Loves Baked Feta Pasta
Here’s the thing: it’s so simple, yet somehow it tastes like you spent hours making it. Roasting a block of feta with sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil transforms them into a luxurious sauce. Toss it with pasta, fresh basil, and you’re done. Comfort food, leveled up (without saying “leveled up,” of course).
This dish is:
- Vegetarian
- One-pan friendly
- Packed with Mediterranean flavor
- Ideal for weeknights, meal prep, or casual dinner parties
And the best part? It’s totally flexible — toss in your favorite extras and make it your own.
What You’ll Need
Here’s your simple shopping list:
- Pasta (short shapes like penne, fusilli, farfalle work best)
- 1 block of feta cheese (not crumbled)
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Fresh garlic cloves
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Dried oregano and thyme
- Fresh basil
Optional add-ins include baby spinach, red pepper flakes, or even roasted mushrooms if you’re feeling wild.
How to Make Baked Feta Pasta
This is where the magic happens — and trust me, you won’t mess it up even if it’s your first time.
Step 1: Get the Oven Hot
Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). You want a hot oven to really roast those tomatoes and soften the feta.
Step 2: Assemble the Bake
Grab a medium-sized baking dish. Toss in the cherry tomatoes, whole garlic cloves (smash them slightly if you like), and olive oil. Place the block of feta right in the middle. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme.
Slide it into the oven and roast for about 35–40 minutes. The tomatoes should blister and burst. The feta? Soft, golden, and begging to be stirred.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta
While the oven‘s doing its thing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente — you want a little bite left. Drain, but save a cup of the pasta water in case your sauce needs loosening later.
Step 4: Mix It All Up
Once the dish is out of the oven, grab a fork and mash everything together. The feta melts into a creamy sauce. Add in your cooked pasta and some chopped fresh basil. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water and stir until smooth.
Boom. Dinner’s ready.
Variations You Can Try
This baked feta pasta is a blank canvas — go ahead and play with it.
- Add protein: Toss in shredded chicken, tuna, or tofu cubes.
- Go veggie-heavy: Add roasted zucchini, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms.
- Switch the pasta: Gluten-free pasta, whole wheat, or even chickpea pasta works.
- Make it spicy: Red chili flakes or diced jalapeños bring the heat.
Love pasta variety? You might enjoy something like a creamy Crockpot chicken pasta or a cheesy penne dish with garlic butter and ground beef — perfect for when you want something hearty and bold.
Pro Tips for Baked Feta Pasta Success
Trust me, I’ve made this more times than I’d like to admit. Learn from my mistakes:
- Use block feta, not crumbled. It melts better and gives that rich, creamy texture.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Al dente is your best friend here.
- Save that pasta water! A splash can fix a dry or clumpy sauce.
- Add fresh herbs last. Basil wilts quickly — you want it bright and fragrant.
And yes, it holds up great for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just reheat gently with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce.
More Pasta Ideas You’ll Love
Once you’ve mastered this baked feta masterpiece, there’s a whole world of pasta to explore — and trust me, you’ll want more. Here are some ideas to check out on the same vibe:
- The Best Ground Beef Enchiladas: A Family Dinner Favorite
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta (One-Pot Comfort Food Magic)
No matter your pasta mood, there’s something delicious waiting.
Print
Baked Feta Pasta
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
One dish, a few pantry staples, no fancy skills required — just that salty, creamy feta magic that’s taken the internet (and weeknight dinners) by storm.
Ingredients
- 1 block of feta cheese (not crumbled)
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3–4 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: baby spinach
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: roasted mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C).
- Add cherry tomatoes, garlic cloves, and olive oil to a medium baking dish.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish.
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until tomatoes burst and feta is soft and golden.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Remove the dish from the oven and mash the feta, tomatoes, and garlic together into a sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta and chopped fresh basil, and toss to combine.
- If needed, use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Use block feta for a creamier sauce. Don’t skip the pasta water — it’s key for adjusting the consistency. Add your favorite extras like spinach or chili flakes to make it your own.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg