Description
Viral Finnish baked feta pasta promises creamy Mediterranean magic with minimal ingredients. Tangy cheese melts into sweet tomatoes, creating a simple yet irresistible dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
- 1 block (7-8 oz) feta cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack at center and heat to 400F (200C) for optimal roasting conditions.
- Flavor Composition: Situate feta block centrally in baking dish, surrounding with cherry tomatoes. Disperse minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper across tomato landscape. Cascade olive oil generously to amplify flavor profile.
- Roasting Stage: Introduce dish to preheated oven, allowing 25-30 minutes of uncovered roasting. Observe tomatoes transforming into burst treasures while feta softens and edges turn golden.
- Pasta Integration: Simultaneously cook pasta in boiling water per package instructions. Reserve small quantity of starchy cooking liquid before draining, creating potential sauce enhancement mechanism.
- Sauce Development: Remove roasted dish from oven, gently crushing feta and tomatoes into creamy sauce. Incorporate cooked pasta, folding thoroughly. Adjust sauce consistency by introducing reserved pasta water if needed.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with torn basil leaves and delicate lemon zest. Serve immediately to capture peak Mediterranean flavor harmony.
Notes
- Tomato Selection: Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes for maximum flavor burst and caramelization during roasting.
- Feta Quality Matters: Select high-quality, creamy feta block that melts smoothly and creates a rich, velvety sauce.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, ensuring a balanced and enjoyable taste experience.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to control sauce consistency, preventing dryness and creating silky texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg