Pin This A festive, creamy pasta dish featuring oven-roasted feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a snowy sprinkle of grated Parmesan, perfect for a holiday table.
This recipe quickly became a favorite at our family gatherings, filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas and smiles.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g (7 oz)
- Parmesan cheese: 60 g (2 oz), finely grated
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g (1 lb), mixed colors preferred
- Garlic: 3 cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
- Short pasta: 350 g (12 oz) (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes: ½ tsp (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Arrange Ingredients:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes garlic and onion (if using) around the feta.
- Season:
- Drizzle everything with olive oil sprinkle with oregano red pepper flakes (if using) salt and pepper.
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden at the edges.
- Cook Pasta:
- Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water then drain the pasta.
- Mash Mix:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a large spoon gently mash and mix the feta with the tomatoes and garlic until creamy.
- Combine:
- Add the hot pasta to the baking dish tossing everything together. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately topped with a generous snowfall of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
Pin This This dish has brought many joyful moments to our holiday table creating lasting memories.
Required Tools
Oven-safe baking dish large pot strainer mixing spoon
Allergen Information
Contains milk (feta Parmesan) wheat (pasta) Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability if required For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta
Nutritional Information
Calories 510 Total Fat 20 g Carbohydrates 62 g Protein 19 g per serving
Pin This Enjoy this festive pasta as a perfect centerpiece for your holiday meals.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
Feta's crumbly texture and tangy flavor work best for this dish, but a mild goat cheese alternative can be used for a similar creamy effect.
- → What pasta shapes work well here?
Short pasta like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni are ideal as they hold the sauce well and complement the baked mixture.
- → How do I make this dish vegan-friendly?
Swap the dairy cheeses for plant-based alternatives and omit Parmesan or use a vegan substitute to keep the creamy texture.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
The baked feta and tomatoes can be prepared in advance, but mixing with pasta is best done fresh to maintain sauce consistency.
- → What wine pairs well with this dish?
Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling options complement the rich feta and bright tomatoes beautifully.