Description
This Baked Feta Pasta is the kind of easy dinner that feels exciting the moment it comes out of the oven. Creamy feta, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, tender pasta, and fresh spinach come together in one comforting dish that is packed with flavor and perfect for a quick breakfast-for-dinner mood, easy dinner plans, cozy food ideas, simple family meals, and weeknight recipe inspiration. It is a satisfying pasta bake that looks beautiful, tastes rich and fresh, and comes together with minimal effort.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
8 ounces block feta cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes and minced garlic to a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
4. Place the block of feta in the center of the dish and spoon a little olive oil mixture over the top.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and lightly golden.
6. Remove the dish from the oven and mash the feta, tomatoes, and garlic together until creamy.
7. Stir in the spinach and let it wilt from the heat.
8. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, then toss until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
9. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta before baking and mixing, or it can turn too soft once it absorbs the warm feta sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 35mg