How to Make the Internet’s Favorite Baked Feta Pasta

If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, chances are you’ve come across the viral Baked Feta Pasta. This dish took the internet by storm, and for good reason. It’s simple to make, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers maximum flavor. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or looking to impress guests with minimal effort, this recipe is for you. 

Why This Baked Feta Pasta Lives Up to the Hype 

Here’s the thing about viral recipes – half of them are total letdowns. But this one delivers. The feta gets melty and creamy, the tomatoes burst with flavor, and when you mix it all together with pasta, it’s like magic happened in your oven.

Plus, it’s practically foolproof. I’ve made this baked feta pasta on nights when I could barely think straight, and it still turned out amazing. The oven does all the work while you just stand there and wait. Plus, you can customize it to use up what’s in your pantry. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes (don’t use the big ones) 
• 1 block of feta cheese, about 8 ounces (block, not crumbled!)
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 12 ounces of your favorite pasta (short shapes like penne or rotini work best)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• A handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped

How to Make It 

Step 1: Heat your oven to 400°F. Dump the tomatoes and garlic in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, add salt and pepper, then nestle that block of feta in the middle. 

Step 2: Bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes look blistered and the feta is golden and soft.

Step 3: While that’s happening, cook your pasta. Save some pasta water before you drain it – you’ll need it later.

Step 4: Take the baking dish out and mash everything together with a fork. The feta will get creamy and mix with the burst tomatoes. Add your pasta and a splash of that pasta water, then stir until it’s all combined.

Step 5: Throw some fresh basil on top and you’re done.

Tips for Success

• Use a Block of Feta: For the creamiest sauce, opt for a block of feta cheese rather than crumbled feta
• Choose the Right Pasta: Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or fusilli are ideal as they hold the sauce well
• Don’t skip the pasta water: It helps everything come together and makes the sauce cling to the pasta better

Ways to Make This Baked Feta Pasta Your Own 

The basic recipe is perfect as-is, but here are some add-ins that work great:

• Throw in some red pepper flakes if you like heat. 
• Add leftover rotisserie chicken for protein. 
• Toss in some spinach at the end – it’ll wilt right into the sauce. 
• Pine nuts are amazing if you have them.

My kids love this baked feta pasta with just the basic ingredients, but I sometimes sneak in some extra veggies and they never notice.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Families

At What’s For Dinner Club, we understand the challenges of getting a meal on the table every night. This Baked Feta Pasta fits perfectly into our philosophy: it’s quick, requires minimal prep, and is sure to please both kids and adults. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your family’s diet without any complaints.

The Takeaway

Sometimes viral recipes are viral for a reason. This baked feta pasta is simple enough for a Tuesday night but good enough that you’ll want to make it for company. It uses ingredients you probably already have, and it’s nearly impossible to mess up.

Give it a try. Worst case scenario, you’re out a block of feta and some tomatoes. Best case? You’ve found your new go-to dinner that everyone will think you’re a genius for making.

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