Easy Baked Feta Pasta

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat feta

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Ricotta offers a similar texture and taste at a lower cost.

cherry tomatoes

🥗Healthier: grape tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are often more affordable and have a long shelf life.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is a cost-effective alternative with a neutral flavor.

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole grain pasta

💰Cheaper: pasta made from alternative grains

Alternative grains can be less expensive and offer different flavors.

Wash the cherry tomatoes and check for any bad ones, removing any stems.

Place the washed cherry tomatoes in a large baking dish.

Add 1/2 cup of olive oil to the tomatoes.

Add 3 cloves of minced garlic to the dish.

Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper over the tomatoes and stir well to coat them.

Make a space in the center of the tomatoes and place the feta cheese there.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.

While the feta and tomatoes are baking, bring a pot of water to a boil and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions, about 10 minutes, and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.

After 35 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and mash the tomatoes with the back of a spoon.

Mix the mashed tomatoes and melted feta together until combined.

Add the cooked rotini pasta to the baking dish and stir to combine.

Pour in the reserved 1/2 cup of pasta water and add chopped fresh basil, stirring well to mix everything together.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens