Have you wondered why Tiktok and Instagram users are going crazy over a Baked Feta Pasta recipe? Well, with this recipe literally anyone could make a delicious creamy, comforting dinner with bursting flavours and the best part though?. gets done in 30 mins..
Internet made me do it!!
Literally Yes!! When everyone around me were trying and raving about this Tiktok Baked Feta Pasta recipe; I had no go but to try it immediately; actually not I thought the craze would die down but it didn't and then I gave in.
Viral recipes are a rage now - Do you remember the Dalgona Coffee, Hot Chocolate Bombs and now this.
This recipe was first shared a famous blogger in Finland @liemessa in 2019 that went viral by the hashtag #uunifetapasta Get the original recipe here who adapted it from another Finnish blogger Tiiu.
Theory even states that this got so popular that feta cheese block got disappeared from the grocery stores.
I would like to credit my findings to grilledcheesesocial for sharing the English version of the recipe.
Tiktok Pasta Ingredients:
Ingredients notes:
- Feta Cheese - For a creamier pasta always use a full fat feta cheese block. Crumbled feta pasta can also be used just pile it up in the centre and use.
- Pasta - Use any pasta of your choice. The recommended pasta for this recipe includes rigatoni, macaroni, orzo or shells.
- Tomatoes - I prefer using Cherry Tomatoes for the recipe as it is sweeter and pairs well with the salty tangy feta. You can also use Grape Tomatoes here.
- Basil - I recommend using fresh basil here. But I have seen variations of the recipe using fresh oregano too. You can even give it a try with fresh rosemary as olive oil and rosemary pairs well too (This No knead bread recipe would be a great testimony for the same).
Why this recipe works?
- Baked feta sauce - You can never go wrong with it!!. The flavours of creamy feta and sweet tomatoes makes an amazing base for a sauce.
- Seasoning - Perfectly seasoned with fresh herbs, salt and pepper; the recipe adds the right kick in terms of spice levels.
- Vegetables - Ask a mother and she would literally love any recipe that sneaks in vegetables into their kids dinner. Though the original baked feta pasta recipe does not call for it, being a mother I have sneaked in some vegetables to make it a complete meal!
- Basic - The recipe is a fairly easy and simple without any complicates steps unlike my cake or bread recipes so anybody can pull it off.
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1 - Making the Baked Feta Pasta Sauce
In a oven safe dish combine together the tomatoes, peppers, onions, 1/4 cup olive oil and also the seasoning - salt, black pepper powder, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, ½ tsp Italian seasoning.
Cut the ends and then wrap a bulb of garlic in aluminium foil and place it on top of the tomatoes.
Make some space in the centre and place the block of feta cheese, pour the remaining olive oil and rest of the seasoning.
Bake in the preheated oven of 400°F (200°C) for 30 mins.
Step 2 - Cook the Pasta
While the sauce is baking, cook the pasta as per package instructions.
Do remember to reserve about 1 cup of starchy pasta water.
Step 3 - Combining the Baked Feta Pasta
Once the timer goes off, take the dish out of the oven carefully.
The tomatoes would have released all its juices and the cheese would be soft and melted (image 1).
Carefully take the garlic bulb out of the aluminium foil and squeeze to release the juices. Using the back of a spatula or a fork mix everything and then immediately add in spinach, basil and mix everything well (image 2).
This is a great base for you to be used as a dip or even as a spread for your breads or a filling for your sandwiches. It is that delicious!!
But following the Tik Tok viral trend, we would add the cooked pasta to it (image 3). Press the garlic to release its pulp and mix it all up.
That's it your delicious Baked Feta Pasta is ready to be devoured (image 4). Give it a taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
This is when you will also add the reserved starchy water from the cooked pasta if you feel the need to thin the sauce or if you feel that the pasta is dried out.
Pro Tips/Variations:
- Full Fat: Make sure to use full fat feta cheese for a creamier and flavourful pasta.
- Right Baking Dish: Use a baking dish that would ensure that the tomatoes and the cheese are all crowded and clinging to each other, so that the tomatoes cook evenly without drying out.
- Dry Pasta: If you find that the sauce is thin or the pasta is dried out, add the reserved starchy water to revive it.
- Seasoning: The seasoning can be adjusted to suit your family needs - swap basil with oregano, or use a combination of herbs to suit your needs, amp up the red pepper flakes or use jalapeno if you like a spicy version, omit all the vegetables or add more as per choice and availability.
- Hand-Torn: Whenever using fresh herbs try to simply use your hands and tear the herbs instead of using a knife to chop them for optimum flavour.
Storage Instructions (Shelf-life)
This pasta tastes best when served immediately.
You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Make sure to warm it up on stove-top or microwave before serving.
Recipe FAQ's
Personally I have not tried this with any other cheese. But this Instagram post shares how to use mascarpone cheese instead. You might even like to try with other cheese like cream cheese or ricotta.
If your pasta looks dried or if you are planning to store it for more than 2 days then I would recommend you to add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water (the water in which you cooked the pasta) to your dish and mix that through.
I found this video on Youtube which shares an amazing recipe for the vegan version. You might want to check that.
Yes there are versions on the internet that make use of gluten free pasta or some have successfully made this using zoodles (zucchini noodles).
More Savoury Baking Recipes:
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Baked Feta Pasta - Tiktok Recipe
Ingredients
- 25 oz (3 boxes or 700 gms) Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 med size red onion sliced
- 1 cup Sweet Vine Peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Red Chilli flakes
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper
- 8 oz (1 block) Feta Cheese
- 10 oz Pasta
- 1 cup Baby Spinach
- 1 cup loosely packed Basil Leaves
Instructions
Step - Baked Feta Sauce
- In an oven safe dish or casserole, place the cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, sliced peppers, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp each - Italian seasoning, red chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Mix that through.
- Make some space in the centre and place the feta cheese block. Add the remaining 1/4 cup oil on top followed by the remaining 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning and red chilli flakes.
- Cut the eye of the garlic bulb, wrap it in an aluminium foil and place it in the baking dish.
- Bake everything in a preheated oven of 200°C (400°F) for 30 mins.
Step 2 - Cook the Pasta
- While the sauce is baking, cook the pasta as per packet instructions and keep ready.
- Do remember to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water that is the water in which you cooked the pasta.
Step 3 - Combining the sauce and Pasta
- Once out of the oven, the tomatoes would be bursted and juicy and the cheese would be soft and melted.
- Remove the aluminium foil and open it so that the garlic cools a bit to be handled by bare hands.
- Give a quick mix to the tomatoes and feta and immediately add the spinach and basil leaves. Mix well to combine. (At this stage you can serve it as a dip or also use it to top it on your bread)
- Add the pasta on top. Give a quick mix and ta da your Baked Feta Pasta is ready to be served.
Video
Notes
- Full Fat: Make sure to use full fat feta cheese for a creamier and flavourful pasta.
- Right Baking Dish: Use a baking dish that would ensure that the tomatoes and the cheese are all crowded and clinging to each other, so that the tomatoes cook evenly without drying out.
- Dry Pasta: If you find that the sauce is thin or the pasta is dried out, add the reserved starchy water to revive it.
- Seasoning: The seasoning can be adjusted to suit your family needs - swap basil with oregano, or use a combination of herbs to suit your needs, amp up the red pepper flakes or use jalapeno if you like a spicy version, omit all the vegetables or add more as per choice and availability.
- Hand-Torn: Whenever using fresh herbs try to simply use your hands and tear the herbs instead of using a knife to chop them for optimum flavour.
- Add a Protein: Consider adding cooked chickpeas if you like and if you are a meat eater you can also add shredded chicken.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta or you can also use zoodles (zucchini noodles)
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