This Baked Feta Pasta recipe is simple to make and creates the perfect sauce combination that provides a sweet, salty creamy pasta.
This Baked Feta Pasta is so delicious and easily made in less than 30 minutes using minimal ingredients which is a win-win for us all!
Two of my favourite things, Feta Cheese & Pasta, so imagine them combined together, one word..... AMAZING!
I've also made a similar version using mushrooms, spinach, and other goodies. Be sure to check out my Baked Feta Pasta with Mushrooms.
Some background about this dish, the recipe called #uunifetapasta went viral in Finland when shared by Liemessa and Tiiu.
It was so popular that supermarkets sold out of Feta cheese in Finland!
I first saw this when the lovely Feel Good Foodie shared a video making this dish and it got my attention! I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and made it that same day with a few of my little tweaks. Let me tell you, it’s definitely worth all the hype!
As a result, my TikTok feta pasta video went viral!
Ingredients to make Baked Feta Pasta
- Feta Cheese is the star of this dish! I prefer to use Persian feta as I find it more creamy and less salty than Greek feta, but you can use your preferred feta.
- Cherry tomatoes are the foundation of the sauce so make sure to use the best quality and to ensure they are ripe.
- Garlic, I love using purple garlic as I find them juicier and milder in flavour
- Pasta, I’ve used Orechiette in my recipe which actually translates to “little ears” in Italian. I love their shape as they hold in the sauce and ingredients like little buckets
- Extra virgin olive oil is my favourite oil to use, especially in this recipe. It plays a huge part in the sauce and pairs well with all the flavours
- Oregano, I have used dried oregano in my recipe as I find it pairs so well with feta cheese especially when combined with tomatoes and olive oil. You can also use thyme either fresh or dried.
- Basil, I love adding fresh basil leaves at the end and I prefer keeping the leaves whole.
Important Tips
- Ensure to place the block of feta whole in the middle of the oven tray. If it’s broken up, it will burn too quickly and won’t bring out the same creamy sauce
- It’s best to leave tomatoes whole as they will shrink and blister in the oven once cooked. If they are cut they will overcook and become too mushy.
- Garlic cloves are best to be left whole in their skins. Once roasted, they bring out the most beautiful subtle flavour and creaminess. If they are peeled or cut, they can burn in the oven and won’t be creamy
- Stick to using a short pasta shape, ideally with grooves as it would work the best holding in the sauce and ingredients. I've used orecchiette but you can also use fusilli, penne, or even conchiglie which are small shells
- Mix in the pasta fairly quickly as soon as the dish is out of the oven while the feta is still warm. This will ensure the creaminess will then come together with the pasta, as once the cheese cools down, the cheese will start to harden.
- If the sauce has thickened up too much or isn’t as creamy, not to stress, a good splash of pasta water will save the day and bring the sauciness back
More Pasta Recipes
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share a photo on Instagram so I can share the love.
Recipe
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 500 g ripe cherry tomatoes
- 8 garlic cloves
- 180 g block of feta cheese
- 400 g short pasta (I've used orecchiette)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (with some extra)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Big handful of fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F
- Add cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves whole in their skins to an oven dish
- Season with salt and pepper along with oregano and pour over the olive oil. Give it a little massage with your hands so all the ingredients are nicely coated
- Place the block of feta cheese in the middle of the dish and place all the tomatoes around it. Add a sprinkle more of oregano and a drizzle of olive oil to the feta before placing into the oven.
- Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until the tomatoes have blistered and feta cheese has softened
- When tomatoes have 10 minutes left on the cooking time, start to cook the pasta in heavily salted water. As always, don’t forget to save some pasta water on the side.
- Remove oven dish and gently peel garlic cloves (be careful it may be hot) from their skin and using a fork, mash the garlic cloves in the same oven tray.
- Give it all a mix together breaking up the feta cheese. It will become a nice and creamy sauce-like consistency
- Add the cooked pasta straight from the pot into the dish along with the basil leaves. I like to leave mine whole but you can also break them up with your fingers.
- Mix together, and if needed, add a splash of the pasta water to help it come together. Dig in and enjoy your creamy, salty & sweet pasta!
Jordan
First time making this dish, this recipe was super easy to follow and has amazing results. I will definitely be using this recipe again.
Ayeh
Yay love hearing that! So glad you like it xx
Laura
10/10 made this for my parents... dad will eat anything, mum is the fussy one but even she liked it! Third time making it and have probably told about 20 people they HAVE to make it!!! So yummy! Thanks for bringing it to all of our attention!
Ayeh
Aw I love hearing such beautiful feedback! Thank you for spreading the love xxx
Desiree Evans
What other cheese would work if you don’t like feta?
Ayeh
Goats cheese is great too!
Necole Ducati
Making it for myself and healthcare coworkers while we work Christmas Eve in our ICU/PCU - new recipe for us all
Ayeh
Aw lovely to hear darling, hope you all loved it xx
Akshita
Tried this and it turned out to be amazing, everyone loved it ! It’s a hit in my family now :))
Ayeh
Yay! if the family approves its a double bonus xx
Shweta jain
The most amazing pasta recipe...EVER!! cant wait to try the mushroom feta pasta.
Ayeh
The mushroom is a must try too! xx
Shirin
Thank you Ayeh for all your recipes
Ayeh
You're most welcome shirin!
Patrick Tissington
Having it tomorrow for the third time. Absolutely superb - dead easy and everyone loves it.
Ayeh
yay so happy to hear Patrick x
Ashley
This recipe is AMAZING!! My kids and I devoured it! I used tri-colored cherry tomatoes, definitely adding it to my monthly dinner rotation. Thank you!!
Ayeh
Awww love that, its an added bonus when the kids enjoy a recipe too! xx
Haruna
Awesome, thanks for the recipe! My family loved it
Ayeh
So happy you and your family loved this recipe xxx
Diana
This is a brilliant recipe!!! I love it.
I wonder what would you recommend as a protein to add? I was thinking Salami or Chorizo, but would like some guidance.
Ayeh
So happy you like it Diana 🙂 Yes they would work, I also think chicken would suit it well too. I'd recommend to cook it separately and then add it in xx
Alisandra
I've made this with Italian sausage and ground turkey and they were both a win! I cooked separate, blotted excess oil then added at the same time as the basil.
Ayeh
So glad you've been trying variations lovely! The base is so versatile and goes with everything 🙂
Raksha
OMG!!! This is the easiest and tastiest pasta recipe ever!!! All our friends loved it!!
Ayeh
Its such a simple tasty recipe isnt it 🙂
sharon doi
My family doesn't eat Feta. Is there another less pungent cheese to substitute? TIA!
Ayeh
Hi lovely, i absolutely love it with goats cheese as its much lighter and a milder flavour xx
Tanya
Hi, what other kind of cheese I can use for this pasta , I am not a fan of feta cheese
Ayeh
Goats cheese works great too, I have a recipe showing this 🙂
Wendy
This recipe is amazing!!!! Thank you soooo so much Ayah for all of your amazing recipes! I’m so glad I found you on Ig!!!
Ayeh
Aw me too Wendy, sp glad you're here xxxx
Scarlet
One of the most delicious dishes I have ever had! Plus it is so easy to cook - I’ve already added it to my favorite recipes 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing! Definitely going to try more of your recipes!
Ayeh
So happy to hear Scarlet, its a hit in my household too xxx
Nicole
Such a simple easy recipe to make and easy to do with kids. Best of all it tastes delicious. Definitely worth reading Ayeh's tips before starting.
Ayeh
Thanks lovely, so happy to hear! xxxx
Natalie
Super easy, and incredibly yummy!
Ayeh
So yummy 🙂
Jenny
This was amazingly delicious and so easy to make! Whole family loved it. Will be a regular for dinner. Didn't have basil, but added spinach. Such a great recipe, would be easy to customize and use whatever you have on hand. Thanks for sharing!
Ayeh
Spinach is a great addition too! so happy you all enjoyed this recipe xx
Nathaniel
I've made this three times so far, it's amazing! Great for a quick and easy meal after work and the leftovers are great for lunch the next day.
Ayeh
Aw love that its been a regular in your house too! xx
Jared
I made a variation of this with gluten-free pasta and spinach and black olives and it was so incredibly good! Thank you for the recipe!
Ayeh
You're most welcome! Oh yummy! So many variations you can make xx
Wadad
This is DELICIOUS!
You must try it. My husband loved it!
So easy, so creamy, so yummy.
Highly recommend!
Ayeh
Yay if the hubby approves thats a bonus x
Marjorie
I love it when people come together and share views. Great
website, keep it up!
Ayeh
Thank you so much xxx
April
This was so delicious and easy to make. It’s a regular dish we make in our household now. Highly recommend
Ayeh
love hearing that dear 🙂
Steph
First time making this dish and wow so simple and SO much flavour! Absolutely love it and can’t wait to make it again.
Ayeh
So glad you loved it dear! Make sure to try my other variations of the Baked Feta Pasta next xxxx
SancochoMom
Made this dish last night and I shared the recipe the next morning to 3 close foodie friends and family. Keeper in my house!
Ayeh
Awww love that! xx
Charlotte
Absolutely love this recipe - would you recommend reheating this? I have lots left over!
Ayeh
Hi lovely, yes you can for sure! Id recommend heating it with a splash of water in a pan or pot with the lid on so it becomes creamy again and wont dry out x
Thia
This was one of my first recipes I ever did from Ayeh and every weekend I try a new one! She does not disappoint!! So wonderful!
Ayeh
Aww so happy to hear lovely! Its one of my favs too!
Simran
My favourite meal
I love this recipe and I always make extra for the next day! I even add some sundried tomatoes which pair really well with this pasta!
Ayeh
Hehe yay love that
Christine
Had to try this one out. It's super easy to make and delicious! I didn't have any fresh basil so we used rocket instead. Would recommend for a simple and tasty pasta dish! Love all the short videos and recipes to follow. Thanks Ayeh!
Ayeh
Oh yum rocket would have been great too! So happy you loved it xxx
Natasha
Another simple, but flavourful pasta dish you’ll never get tired of eating!
Ayeh
Hehe yes so true! So happy you loved it xxx
Sarah
I actually really love eating this as a cold pasta, so great for taking to work!
Ayeh
Me too!Left pver for work lunch is the best xxx
Linda
Snow day today so I made this feta dish for the first time and my husband and I love it! Brought some over to my neighbors and they loved it also. Nothing better for me than an easy recipe that tastes so great! Thanks for sharing.
Ayeh
Aw so happy to hear this lovely, perfect for a cosy snow day 🙂