Description
Baked Feta Pasta is a creamy, tangy, and easy dinner made with roasted cherry tomatoes, a block of feta cheese, garlic, olive oil, spinach, and tender pasta. This simple pasta recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners, Mediterranean food ideas, easy recipe planning, and cozy dinner ideas when you want something flavorful without much effort.
Ingredients
8 ounces penne pasta
8 ounces feta cheese block
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Place the feta block in the center of a baking dish and scatter the cherry tomatoes around it.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the feta and tomatoes, then add garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and lightly golden.
5. While the feta bakes, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
6. Mash the baked feta, tomatoes, and garlic together until creamy.
7. Add the cooked pasta and spinach to the baking dish, then toss until the spinach wilts and the pasta is coated.
8. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
9. Finish with fresh parsley and lemon zest, then serve warm.
Notes
Do not skip the reserved pasta water. It helps the feta and roasted tomatoes turn into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta instead of becoming thick or dry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Baked Feta Pasta, easy dinner, quick weeknight dinner, pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta, feta pasta, dinner ideas, easy recipe