Save A festive, creamy pasta dish featuring oven-roasted feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a snowy sprinkle of grated Parmesan, perfect for a holiday table.
I first made this recipe last Christmas and it quickly became a family favorite for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g (7 oz)
- Parmesan cheese: 60 g (2 oz), finely grated
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g (1 lb), mixed colors preferred
- Garlic: 3 cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
- Short pasta: 350 g (12 oz) (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes: ½ tsp (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Step 2:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of a baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes, garlic, and onion (if using) around the feta.
- Step 3:
- Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Step 4:
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden at the edges.
- Step 5:
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 6:
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a large spoon, gently mash and mix the feta with the tomatoes and garlic until creamy.
- Step 7:
- Add the hot pasta to the baking dish, tossing everything together. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately, topped with a generous snowfall of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
Save This dish has become a staple during holiday family dinners and always brings delightful smiles around the table.
Required Tools
Oven-safe baking dish, large pot, strainer, mixing spoon
Allergen Information
Contains milk (feta, Parmesan), wheat (pasta). Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability if required. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free pasta.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 510, Total Fat: 20 g, Carbohydrates: 62 g, Protein: 19 g per serving.
Save This recipe is simple to prepare yet impressive to serve, perfect for festive occasions and weeknight meals alike.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni hold the creamy sauce well and complement the roasted ingredients.
- → Can I prepare this dish vegan-friendly?
Use plant-based feta alternatives and omit or replace Parmesan with vegan cheese to make the dish vegan-friendly.
- → How do I prevent the pasta from drying out?
Reserve some pasta cooking water to gradually add while mixing; it helps create a smooth and silky sauce.
- → What herbs enhance the flavor of this dish?
Dried oregano in the bake adds earthiness, and fresh basil leaves used as garnish enhance freshness and aroma.
- → Can additional vegetables be added?
Yes, baby spinach or roasted red peppers can be included for extra color and texture.