TikTok Viral Baked Feta Pasta Tutorial Recipe
This viral TikTok-inspired Baked Feta Pasta recipe features juicy cherry tomatoes and a whole block of feta cheese oven-roasted to perfection, then combined with fresh garlic and basil to create a creamy, flavorful sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta and finished with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, this dish is a simple yet irresistible Italian-inspired comfort food that has captivated food lovers worldwide.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato and Cheese Base
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 4 cups)
- 8 ounces block of feta cheese
- 1/2 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Flavor Enhancers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Pasta
- 8 to 12 ounces cavatappi pasta (or spaghetti, if preferred)
Optional Add-ins
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Pasta cooking water (reserved, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup, as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large baking dish, toss the cherry tomatoes with 1/2 cup olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring all tomatoes are evenly coated. This oil amount helps create a rich, confit-like texture while preventing burning during roasting.
- Add the Feta Cheese: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish among the tomatoes. Do not crumble the feta; keep it whole to allow it to soften and bake evenly.
- Bake at 400°F: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. This initial baking softens the feta and starts roasting the tomatoes gently.
- Increase Oven Temperature: After 30 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes burst and the feta develops a golden-brown, slightly caramelized top.
- Cook the Pasta: While the feta and tomatoes bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Combine Garlic and Basil: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the minced garlic and chopped fresh basil directly into the hot feta and tomato mixture. Stir and mash the ingredients together; the warm cheeses will create a creamy sauce while the garlic slightly cooks, mellowing its sharpness.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce.
- Add Optional Butter: For extra richness and creaminess, stir in one to two tablespoons of unsalted butter until melted and well combined.
- Final Touch: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the pasta and season with additional black pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting, creamy, and flavorful baked feta pasta.
Notes
- Halving the pasta amount to 8 to 12 ounces creates a cheesier final dish with the full 8 ounces of feta.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency and enhance creaminess.
- Adding butter at the end adds richness but is optional.
- The saltiness from feta is sufficient, so additional salt should be added cautiously.
- You can experiment by adding chili flakes or honey to the tomato mixture for different flavor variations.
- This recipe works well with cavatappi, spaghetti, or your favorite pasta shape.
Keywords: baked feta pasta, TikTok pasta, viral pasta recipe, oven-baked feta, cherry tomato pasta, easy pasta dinner, creamy feta pasta
