This recipe for TikTok-Inspired Baked Feta Pasta is sponsored by NatureSweet®
There’s a new viral food trend taking over the internet. Baked Feta Pasta was first created in 2019 by food artist Jenni Häyrinen and recently it has become a TikTok sensation. You may have also seen it on Instagram or Facebook because this delicious dish is taking the internet by storm!
Why is it so popular? Because with just a few simple ingredients and one casserole dish, you can make a homemade pasta dish with an unbelievably yummy sauce. Cherry tomatoes coated in olive oil and roasted with feta cheese and garlic are smashed to create a cheesy tomato sauce that is truly out of this world good!
Once the sauce is made, simply add pasta, baby spinach, crush red pepper, and basil. And just like that, you have a pasta dish so good, you’d swear you’re in Italy!
Tricks To Get Your Baked Feta Pasta Just Right
With a quick internet search, you’ll encounter lots of versions of Baked Feta Pasta, some better than others. To get this trend just right, there are a few tricks you must follow…
Don’t skimp on the olive oil! Yes, it seems like a lot and you’ll see that some recipes only use a couple of tablespoons. You really need to use a good amount (we’re talking half a cup plus some). The olive oil helps the tomatoes cook without burning so don’t go sparingly on it.
Reserve your pasta water! You’ll want to add some of your pasta water to the sauce to loosen it. Be sure to reserve some back before draining your pasta.
Use good-quality feta cheese! We prefer a sheep’s milk feta for the best flavor and texture.
Use good-quality cherry tomatoes! Along with the feta, cherry tomatoes are the star of this dish. Don’t just use any cherry tomato, use the best. That means, NatureSweet Glorys®. These little guys are picked at the peak of ripeness for great taste year-round.
Learn more about how NatureSweet is doing what is right.
Use a short pasta! If all you have on hand is linguine or spaghetti, it will work. But short pasta will mix up easier in this hearty sauce. Think penne, bow tie, or rigatoni.
How to Make TikTok-Inspired Baked Feta Pasta
Step 1
Begin by drizzling a little olive oil on the bottom of an 8×11 or 9×13 casserole dish. Place the feta cheese in the middle of the dish. Then, surround the cheese with 2-3 containers (depending on the size of your casserole dish) of NatureSweet Glorys®. Add in four cloves of roughly chopped garlic, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle everything with a half cup of olive oil. Gently stir the tomatoes to make sure they are evenly coated in oil. Bake the dish at 325 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and the tomatoes have begun to burst.
Step 2
While the feta and tomatoes are in the oven, make your pasta according to the directions on the package. Reserve a cup of pasta water. Set both the pasta and pasta water aside.
Step 3
Remove the feta and tomatoes from the oven. Add crushed red pepper and LiteHouse® Freeze Dried Basil and then smash the tomatoes and feta with the back of a spoon.
Step 4
Add in the pasta and stir. To loosen the sauce to your desired consistency, add in the reserved pasta water as needed. Then, add in the baby spinach and stir again. The spinach will wilt as you stir.
Step 5
Plate and enjoy! You can garnish with more freeze-dried basil if you’d like. After all, no one has ever complained about too much basil!
Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 45-60 minutes Servings Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 45-60 minutes Servings
Did you try our TikTok-Inspired Baked Feta recipe? Do you think it lives up to all the hype? Share with us in the comments below and take us in your Insta-worthy pasta photos @theproducemoms and @naturesweet.
