Sometimes, things go viral for a good reason, and this pasta bake with feta is a dish deserving of its internet fame. Creamy, savory, tangy and maybe the easiest pasta dish you've ever made, this one will be making regular appearances at your dinner table.
Ingredients
2 pints cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, halved
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
1 package (8 ounces) block feta cheese
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 package (16 ounces) rigatoni or other short pasta
Fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
Instructions
1Start the sauce
2Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a 13x9-inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Stir the tomatoes to thoroughly coat them in the oil.
3Add the feta, then bake
4Place the block of feta into the center of the baking dish, making sure it’s sitting flat against the bottom of the dish. Drizzle the feta with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle it with the salt and pepper. Bake until the tomato skins start to split and the garlic has softened, 30 to 40 minutes.
5Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
6Burst the tomatoes
7Stir the feta cheese and tomatoes together until thoroughly combined, lightly pressing the tomatoes with the back of a spoon until they burst.
8Assemble the dish
9Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish, and toss to coat. Stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Sprinkle the basil over the top and serve.
