Description

A viral TikTok-inspired pasta dish featuring a block of feta and cherry tomatoes roasted until golden and creamy, then tossed with penne pasta. It is a quick, one-dish meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz block feta cheese (in brine)
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes (about 600g)
6–8 cloves garlic, peeled
3–4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
1 cup starchy pasta water
1 cup fresh basil, torn

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pour olive oil into a 9×13 baking dish and spread to coat the bottom.
Add tomatoes to the dish. Place the block of feta in the center. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Bake for 30 minutes until tomatoes are soft and bursting and feta is golden.
While sauce bakes, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Remove baking dish from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
Mash the tomatoes and feta together with a large spoon or spatula until creamy.
Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to emulsify.
Serve immediately topped with fresh basil, extra black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Use a block of feta in brine, not crumbled feta, for the best creamy texture. Do not skip the starchy pasta water as it helps the sauce cling to the noodles. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water. For leftovers, reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to maintain creaminess.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 52
Fiber: 3
Protein: 16

Keywords: baked feta pasta, viral recipe, tiktok pasta, easy dinner, one pot meal, creamy pasta, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes