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Viral TikTok Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

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4.3 from 9 reviews

This viral TikTok recipe for Original Baked Feta Pasta combines juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy baked feta cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta to create a simple yet indulgent dish. Roasting the feta and tomatoes slowly infuses the flavors while the fresh basil and garlic add a fragrant touch. Ready in just 45 minutes, this comforting pasta is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Primary Ingredients

  • 1 lb bowtie or orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes (around 20-25 oz)
  • 1 8 oz block feta cheese
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 pinches red pepper flakes
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Balsamic glaze (optional, if tomatoes are too sour)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes with olive oil and kosher salt, tossing them to coat evenly.
  2. Add feta and initial bake: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top. Bake for 30 minutes until the feta softens and tomatoes start to release their juices.
  3. Cook pasta: While baking, cook the bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
  4. Increase heat and brown: After 30 minutes, increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake the dish another 5-10 minutes, or until the feta and tomatoes develop golden-brown spots.
  5. Add garlic and basil: Remove the baking dish from the oven and immediately stir in the finely chopped garlic and fresh basil leaves. The residual heat will mellow the raw garlic flavor.
  6. Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss well to combine. If the sauce seems dry, gradually stir in up to 1/4 cup of reserved pasta water to loosen it. Season to taste with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
  7. Optional sweetness adjustment: If your tomatoes taste too sour or tart, drizzle some balsamic glaze over the pasta before serving to balance the flavors.

Notes

  • Use cherry tomatoes as fresh and ripe as possible for best flavor.
  • Bowtie or orzo pasta works best, but you can substitute your favorite short pasta.
  • Reserve pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Don't skip increasing the oven temperature for final browning; it adds depth and texture.
  • Add basil and garlic last to preserve their fresh aroma and taste.
  • Balsamic glaze is optional but recommended if tomatoes are not sweet enough.
  • This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/viral-tiktok-baked-feta-pasta-recipe/