That moment when your kitchen fills with the aroma of roasting tomatoes and melting feta—pure culinary magic. If you haven’t tried the famous Pasta with Feta Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes yet, you’re in for a treat that genuinely lives up to its internet fame. This isn’t just another passing food trend; it’s a brilliantly simple method that transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary with almost zero effort on your part.
The beauty lies in its incredible simplicity: throw tomatoes and a block of feta into a baking dish, add some olive oil and seasonings, then let your oven do all the heavy lifting. What emerges is a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet sauce that clings beautifully to pasta and delivers impressive flavor in every bite.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
This Pasta with Feta Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes recipe deserves its viral status for good reason. First, it requires minimal prep work—just 5 minutes of your time before the oven takes over. Second, it creates a luxuriously creamy sauce without cream, making it lighter than traditional pasta dishes while still feeling indulgent.
What makes this dish truly special is how the high heat transforms the cherry tomatoes, concentrating their natural sweetness as they burst and release their juices.
Meanwhile, the feta develops a complex flavor profile—still tangy but mellowed and enriched through roasting. The contrast between the bright tomatoes and the rich, briny feta creates a perfectly balanced sauce that’s both sophisticated and comforting.
Plus, it’s endlessly customizable. Once you master the basic technique, you can adapt it with different herbs, add vegetables, or introduce protein to make it your own signature dish.
Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pints about 20 oz cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 block 8 oz of feta cheese (traditional Greek feta works best)
- 1/2 cup good quality olive oil divided
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pound 16 oz pasta of choice (penne, rotini, or farfalle work well)
- Fresh basil leaves torn or roughly chopped (about 1/4 cup)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup if tomatoes aren’t very sweet
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is crucial for properly caramelizing the tomatoes and getting that perfect feta texture.
- Place cherry tomatoes in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange them so they form a single layer covering most of the dish.
- Create a space in the center of the tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese there. The block should sit nestled among the tomatoes, not on top of them.
- Drizzle everything with 1/3 cup olive oil making sure to coat both the tomatoes and the feta generously. The oil creates the luscious base for your sauce.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt and pepper over the tomatoes and feta. Distribute the seasonings evenly for consistent flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened and turned slightly golden on top. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes are wrinkly with some charred spots.
- While the tomatoes and feta are baking, cook the pasta in heavily salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and immediately mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork or spoon, creating a creamy sauce. If it seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the baking dish and toss until every piece is coated with the tomato-feta sauce. The residual heat will help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Finish with the remaining olive oil, fresh basil, and additional black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, drizzle a little high-quality olive oil just before serving.
- The type of feta matters – traditional Greek feta made from sheep’s milk has the best flavor and creaminess for this dish.
- This dish reheats beautifully. To refresh leftovers, add a splash of water before microwaving.
- For meal prep, you can roast the tomatoes and feta ahead of time, then combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a bit loose at first.
Equipment needed: Baking dish, pot for pasta, stirring spoon, measuring spoons
Calories & Nutritional Info
- Calories per serving: Approximately 550-600 calories (based on 4 servings)
- Protein: 18g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 65g per serving
- Fat: 25g per serving (mostly healthy fats from olive oil and feta)
- Dietary considerations: Vegetarian, can be made gluten-free with alternative pasta
- Allergens: Contains dairy (feta cheese) and wheat (if using traditional pasta)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t cut the feta into pieces before baking – using a whole block is key to achieving the right creamy texture.
- Don’t skimp on the olive oil – it’s essential for creating the sauce’s luxurious mouthfeel.
- Avoid overcooking the pasta – aim for al dente since it will continue to soften slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.
- Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water – this starchy liquid is crucial for adjusting the sauce consistency if needed.
- Be careful not to over-mash the sauce – some texture from the tomatoes adds interest to the finished dish.
Alternatives & Substitutions
- Cheese options: If feta is unavailable, try goat cheese for a similar tangy flavor, though the texture will be different.
- Tomato alternatives: Regular tomatoes cut into chunks can work, but they’ll release more liquid. Roma tomatoes are a good alternative to cherry varieties.
- Make it heartier: Add 1 cup of spinach or kale when tossing with pasta, or include cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
- Herb variations: Fresh thyme, oregano, or rosemary can replace or complement the basil.
- Gluten-free option: Any gluten-free pasta works well, particularly chickpea or lentil pasta which adds extra protein.
- Lower-fat version: Use reduced-fat feta and decrease the olive oil to 1/4 cup, but note the sauce won’t be as creamy.
FAQs
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can roast the tomatoes and feta up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate the sauce. When ready to serve, warm the sauce in a pan, cook fresh pasta, and combine. For best results though, I recommend serving it freshly made when the sauce is at its creamiest.
Why isn’t my sauce as creamy as expected?
The creaminess comes from properly softened feta. Make sure you’re using a block (not pre-crumbled) feta and that your oven is truly at temperature before baking. If your feta seems dry after baking, add a splash more olive oil and a bit more pasta water while stirring vigorously to emulsify.
Can I add vegetables to make this dish more nutritious?
Absolutely! Spinach, kale, zucchini, or broccoli make excellent additions. For leafy greens, simply stir them in when mixing the hot pasta with the sauce, letting the residual heat wilt them. For firmer vegetables, either roast them alongside the tomatoes or blanch them separately before adding.
Is this dish suitable for kids?
Most kids love this pasta! If serving to children, you might want to reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. Some parents find that blending the sauce completely smooth also makes it more appealing to picky eaters who might be put off by the tomato skins or texture.
How can I make this work with a dairy-free diet?
For a dairy-free version, substitute the feta with a block of dairy-free feta alternative or firm tofu that’s been pressed and marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and nutritional yeast for about 30 minutes to mimic feta’s tangy flavor. The texture will be different, but you’ll still get a creamy, flavorful sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Pasta with Feta Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes truly proves that sometimes the simplest recipes deliver the most satisfying results. It’s a perfect weeknight solution that feels special enough for company, proving that a handful of quality ingredients, treated with respect, can create something truly memorable. Give yourself the gift of this effortless yet impressive dish—your taste buds will thank you.
