Mastered Baked Feta Pasta
Elevate your Baked Feta Pasta with expert tips! From choosing premium feta to perfecting the bake and sauce, this guide shares pro tricks to master the viral dish. Start with our 'How to Make Delicious TikTok Baked Feta Pasta' and take it up a notch
Ingredients
- 8 oz block of Greek feta cheese in brine - Room temperature for even melting
- 2 pints ripe cherry tomatoes heirloom preferred - Patted dry, halved if large
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil - Plus extra for drizzling
- 3 garlic cloves smashed - For roasting, not mincing
- 10 oz rigatoni or preferred pasta - Cooked al dente
- Pinch of sugar - To enhance tomato sweetness
- Flaky sea salt - To taste for finishing
- Fresh oregano or basil - Torn, about 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp toasted pine nuts - For crunch Optional
- Grated Pecorino - Light dusting Optional
Instructions
- Prep the Feta and Tomatoes: Let feta sit out for 20 minutes to reach room temp. Pat tomatoes dry, toss with a pinch of sugar, and arrange around feta in a baking dish with smashed garlic cloves.
- Oil and Bake: Drizzle ⅓ cup olive oil over feta and tomatoes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes until feta has golden edges and tomatoes are blistered, rotating dish halfway. Broil 2-3 minutes for extra char if desired.
- Cook Pasta Perfectly: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then toss with a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking.
- Make a Silky Sauce: Mash feta and tomatoes with a wooden spoon into a chunky sauce. Add a splash of warm milk or broth if too thick, or a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water) if too runny. Stir in pasta.
- Finish Like a Pro: Plate the pasta, drizzle with extra olive oil, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, torn oregano, pine nuts, and a light dusting of Pecorino. Serve hot.
Notes
- Feta Tip: Use a block, not crumbles, for creaminess. If it won’t melt, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes.
- Tomato Trick: Sugar boosts flavor—don’t skip it with less-ripe tomatoes.
- Sauce Fix: Too watery? Bake longer or reduce on stovetop.
- Customization: Add roasted garlic or shrimp for a twist.