Festive pasta combining baked feta, roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan for rich, comforting flavors.
# Ingredients:
→ Cheese & Dairy
01 - 7 oz block feta cheese
02 - 2 oz finely grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 lb mixed cherry tomatoes
04 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
06 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
→ Pantry
07 - 12 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Instructions:
01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Place the block of feta in the center of an oven-safe baking dish. Arrange cherry tomatoes, sliced garlic, and, if using, red onion around the feta.
03 - Drizzle olive oil evenly over the feta and tomatoes. Sprinkle with dried oregano, red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta edges turn golden.
05 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water following package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
06 - Remove baked feta and tomato mixture from oven. Mash and mix the feta with tomatoes and garlic until creamy.
07 - Add hot pasta to the baking dish. Toss thoroughly, gradually incorporating reserved pasta water to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
08 - Plate immediately, topping with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
