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Creamy Baked Feta Tomato Pasta Recipe with Chili Flakes and Basil – Easy Perfect Dinner

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A quick and easy baked feta tomato pasta with chili flakes and fresh basil, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300g) whole cherry tomatoes
  • 7-ounce (200g) block of full-fat feta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 8 ounces (225g) dry penne or rigatoni pasta
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the cherry tomatoes in a medium-sized ovenproof baking dish (about 9×9 inches). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle the sliced garlic, salt, black pepper, and half the chili flakes. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  3. Place the block of feta in the center of the tomato bed. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the feta and sprinkle the rest of the chili flakes on top.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and become jammy, and feta softens and browns slightly.
  5. While baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 10 minutes). Drain, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  6. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Mash the feta and tomatoes together with a fork or spoon to create a creamy sauce.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  8. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the pasta. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  9. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Notes

Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Add fresh basil after mixing to keep flavor bright. Be gentle when mixing to keep some tomato texture. If sauce is dry, add more olive oil or pasta water. Avoid shredded feta as it dries out when baked. For vegan version, substitute feta with plant-based cheese and use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, tomato pasta, chili flakes, basil, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-baked-feta-tomato-pasta-recipe-with-chili-flakes-and-basil-easy-perfect-dinner/