Baked Feta Pasta (Tiktok Viral Recipe)

Name: Baked Feta Pasta (Tiktok Viral Recipe)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 17.5oz / 500g ripe cherry tomatoes; 8 garlic cloves; 6.5oz / 180g block of feta cheese; 14oz / 400g 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

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This Baked Feta Pasta combines roasted feta cheese and cherry tomatoes to create a sweet, salty and creamy sauce tossed with pasta for an easy dinner everyone will love!

Close up of baked feta pasta to show beautiful colors and texture

Two of my favorite things are feta cheese and pasta, so imagine them combined together, one word....AMAZING!

This pasta went viral on social media and for good reason - the recipe combines roasted cherry tomatoes, a block of feta cheese and garlic to create a delicious sauce which is then tossed with cooked pasta for a quick easy dinner.

I first discovered this recipe when the lovely feel good foodie shared a video making it…and it won me over! I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and made it that same day, with a few of my own little tweaks. Let me tell you, it’s definitely worth all the hype!

I've also made similar versions of baked feta pasta with mushrooms and pumpkin feta pasta - both must tries!

Table of Contents

Recipe Highlights
What is Baked Feta Pasta?
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make Baked Feta Pasta
Tips and Tricks
Storage Instructions
Serving Suggestions
FAQs
More Pasta Recipes
More Viral Tiktok Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Recipe Highlights

Quick & Easy: Minimal preparation using basic ingredients and simple steps
Packed with Flavor: A creamy sauce made from roasted tomatoes, garlic and melted feta cheese...yum!
Versatile: You change the pasta shape, experiment with different cheeses and add your favorite veggies or protein

What is Baked Feta Pasta?

The original 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!

The concept is a simple oven baked pasta recipe made with a block of feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, garlic and herbs. The feta, tomatoes and garlic are roasted together, then stirred into a creamy sauce that coats the pasta.

My tutorial video also went viral, showing that people around the world were just as obsessed as I was!

Roasted cherry tomatoes, feta and garlic roasted in an oven tray

Ingredients and Substitutions

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 what you prefer. Goat cheese is a great swap which I've made before with delicious veggies - its softer in taste but equally delicious
Cherry tomatoes create the sweet and juicy base of the sauce. Choose ripe quality tomatoes for the best flavor. Grape tomatoes work just as well if that's what you have on hand
Garlic is roasted with the tomatoes and feta then squeezed out and mixed in the sauce, adding a punch of flavor
Pasta, I’ve used orecchiette which translates to “little ears” in Italian. I love their shape as they hold the sauce and ingredients like little buckets. Any short pasta will work in this recipe such as fusilli, penne or even conchiglie which are small shells
Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite oil to use, it helps roast the tomatoes and creates a silky texture
Oregano, I’ve used dried oregano as I find it pairs so well with feta cheese and provides that classic Mediterranean flavor. You can swap with thyme either fresh or dried
Basil, I love adding fresh basil leaves at the end to brighten the dish. I prefer to keep the leaves whole, to maintain their flavor and aroma

How to make Baked Feta Pasta

This viral pasta has only a few ingredients and minimal preparation, for an easy creamy pasta that everyone will love! Follow my simple steps below (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)

Cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves seasoned with oregano and olive oil in an oven dish

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Add whole cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves (with skins on) to a baking dish. Season with salt, black pepper and oregano, then drizzle with olive oil and toss until everything is coated

Feta cheese added to the middle of the baking dish with cherry tomatoes and garlic around it

Step 2: Place a block of feta cheese in the center of the dish, surrounded by the tomatoes. Add extra oregano and a drizzle of olive oil over the feta then bake for 25–30 minutes

Step 3: When the tomatoes have about 10 minutes left, boil the pasta in heavily salted water until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining

Baked garlic cloves being mashed with the back of a fork

Step 4: Remove the dish from the oven and carefully peel the garlic cloves (they will be hot!). Mash them with a fork in the dish

Feta cheese broken up and mixed with the cherry tomatoes and garlic

Step 5: Stir everything together, breaking up the feta until it creates a creamy sauce (as pictured)

Pasta added to the baking dish and mixed all together then topped with fresh basil

Step 6: Add the cooked pasta directly into the dish with the fresh basil leaves. Stir together and if needed add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Place the block of feta whole in the middle of the oven dish. If it’s broken up or crumbled, it will burn too quickly and won’t bring out the same creamy sauce
Don’t cut the tomatoes, leave them whole as they will shrink and blister in the oven once cooked. If cut they will overcook and become too mushy
Bake garlic cloves whole in their skins. Once roasted, they bring out a subtle flavor and creaminess. If peeled or cut, they can burn in the oven and won’t be creamy
Stick with short pasta, ideally with grooves as it would work best holding the sauce and ingredients. I've used orecchiette but you can use fusilli, penne, or conchiglie (small shells)
Save some pasta water, as if the sauce has thickened up too much or isn’t as creamy, just add a good splash of pasta water and it will save the day and bring the sauciness back

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen up the sauce
Freezing is not recommended

Baked feta pasta in an oven dish with silver spoon

Serving Suggestions

This baked feta pasta is best served with some crusty bread. Nothing beats a warm piece of homemade focaccia used to scoop up every bit of the creamy sauce left at the end - this is a popular practice known as “scarpetta” in Italy. The dish also pairs well with this bright avocado salad. For a heartier meal, pair it with grilled meats, your favorite protein or you can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables.

FAQs

Why did baked feta pasta become so popular?

The simple ingredients and steps made this recipe a worldwide favorite. It was first shared by Finnish food bloggers on social media and quickly gained attention, with everyone falling in love with its creamy sauce, colourful finish and easy preparation

How do I keep the sauce from becoming too thick?

Ensure to reserve some pasta water before draining your pasta. Then add a good splash at a time and stir in until it reaches your preferred consistency

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Of course! Just add some chilli flakes either when you bake the dish or sprinkle on top before serving

Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil

More Pasta Recipes

More Viral Tiktok Recipes

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

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