Save A festive, colorful pasta dish featuring creamy baked feta, cherry tomatoes, and holiday herbs, all cooked together in one pan for a simple yet elegant meal.
I love making this pasta during the holidays because it brings everyone together with its festive colors and warm flavors.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g
- Cherry tomatoes, whole: 500 g
- Garlic, minced: 2 cloves
- Red onion, thinly sliced: 1 small
- Baby spinach: 100 g
- Red bell pepper, diced: 1 small
- Lemon zest: Zest of 1 lemon
- Short pasta (penne fusilli or rigatoni): 300 g
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): ½ tsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish): 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Preheat:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare dish:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a large ovenproof baking dish. Surround with cherry tomatoes red onion red bell pepper and garlic.
- Season:
- Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables and feta. Sprinkle with dried oregano thyme red pepper flakes if using salt and black pepper. Toss vegetables gently keeping the feta in the center.
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and soft.
- Cook pasta:
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 100 ml about ⅓ cup of the pasta water then drain.
- Add to dish:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add spinach and lemon zest to the dish.
- Combine:
- Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir everything together until the feta melts and coats the pasta in a creamy sauce.
- Adjust seasoning:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish and serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm.
Save This recipe always sparks joy at family gatherings especially during the holidays when everyone is craving warm comforting food.
Required Tools
Ovenproof baking dish large pot for pasta colander mixing spoon
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (feta cheese) and gluten (pasta). For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta. Always check cheese and pasta labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 460 Total Fat 16 g Carbohydrates 58 g Protein 17 g per serving
Save This one-pan baked feta pasta is simple to prepare and perfect for any festive occasion.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different cheese instead of feta?
Feta's salty, tangy flavor and creamy texture when baked are unique, but halloumi or ricotta could work as alternatives. Keep in mind that melting properties will differ.
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni hold the sauce well and complement the baked ingredients, but feel free to use your favorite variety.
- → How can I make this dish gluten-free?
Simply substitute regular pasta with certified gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities without altering the dish's flavors.
- → Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Ingredients can be prepped in advance, but it's best to bake and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
- → What garnishes enhance the flavor and presentation?
Fresh basil leaves provide vibrant color and aroma, while a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds subtle heat and depth.
- → Is this dish suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, it features Mediterranean ingredients with no meat, making it ideal for vegetarian dining.