Description
This viral veggie pasta with baked feta is the ultimate creamy comfort food. By roasting a solid block of feta with vibrant cherry tomatoes, onions, and aromatic herbs, you create a rich, savory sauce that clings perfectly to pasta. It is a gourmet, Mediterranean-inspired meal that is simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy date night at home. This wholesome dish is packed with fresh flavors and offers a satisfying, restaurant-quality experience with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
16 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
8 oz feta cheese, one solid block
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 red onion, chopped
2 cups fresh baby spinach
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 oz grilled chicken strips (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the block of feta in the center of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Surround the feta with cherry tomatoes and onion chunks.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, then sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic.
Bake for 25 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is soft.
While the feta bakes, boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Remove the dish from the oven and add the fresh spinach.
Stir the feta and vegetables vigorously to form a creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
Toss in the cooked pasta until well-coated, adding chicken strips if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Use short-shaped pasta like penne or fusilli to better trap the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg