Description
Creamy, tangy, and packed with roasted tomato flavor, this Baked Feta Pasta is an easy dinner idea that feels special without a lot of work. It is a quick weeknight pasta recipe made with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and penne, creating one of the best easy dinner recipes for busy nights, cozy family meals, and comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
8 ounces block feta cheese
2 pints cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
2. Add the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt to the dish, then toss to combine.
3. Place the block of feta in the center of the tomatoes and spoon a little of the seasoned oil over the top.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the feta is soft and lightly golden.
5. While the feta mixture bakes, cook the penne in salted water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir the feta and tomatoes together until creamy.
7. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
8. Add the cooked pasta and toss well, using a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
9. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh basil, then serve warm.
Notes
Use block feta for the creamiest sauce and best oven texture.
Reserve pasta water before draining so you can loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
Add cooked chicken or shrimp at the end if you want a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 45mg