TikTok Feta Pasta
Feb 11, 2021, Updated May 11, 2022
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This recipe for TikTok-Inspired Baked Feta Pasta is sponsored by NatureSweet®
Tik Tok Feta Pasta is the perfect meal for anyone looking for a quick and delicious dinner that is taking the internet by storm. This pasta is made with fresh ingredients and has a delicious tomato feta sauce that will leave you wanting more.
What is Tik Tok Feta Pasta?
There’s a new viral food trend taking over the internet. Tomato 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!
What Kind of Pasta is Best for TikTok Feta Pasta
You want to use short pasta. I love using penne because I like the sauce to get inside the pasta. Short pasta is also good because it makes it easier to get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Storing Leftover Tomato Feta Pasta
Store leftover tomato feta pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also use a freezer bag. It will last for up to 5 days.
Reheating Leftover TikTok Feta Pasta
The best way to reheat this pasta is in the microwave. I find that if you reheat it on the stove, the sauce can get a little bit watery.
How Long Does TikTok Pasta Last
When stored properly, the TikTok pasta will last for up to 5 days. If you need the pasta to last longer than that and you will not be able to eat before 5 days, store it in the freezer.
Freezing TikTok Feta Pasta
To freeze the TikTok pasta, place it in a freezer safe container or bag. I like to portion it out into individual servings so that I can just grab one and go when I need a quick meal. It will last for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to thaw the feta pasta, move it to the refrigerator overnight, or you can reheat it from frozen, being careful not to overheat it.
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…
Do not use crumbled feta! In this dish, only block feta will do. You don’t want any of that powdery coating, and the whole block will keep its shape far better during cooking.
Do use low fat feta cheese. Low-fat feta isn’t as good or melts quite as well.
Use good-quality feta cheese! We prefer a sheep’s milk feta for the best flavor and texture.
Cook pasta until it is just a little bit firm. When you mix the pasta with the warm sauce, it will soften a bit more as it combines.
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. If the dish is too dry, add 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Then, if it is still too dry you can do it again.
If you want to make tomato feta pasta low carb, you can use zoodles, spaghetti squash or zero noodles. There are also low carb noodles available at some stores.
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.
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. When it all combines, it creates a very rich sauce that truly makes this dish something to talk about.
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. If long pasta is all you have, you can break it down into smaller pieces.
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!
TikTok-Inspired Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 2-3 containers NatureSweet Glorys® (10 oz) 2 containers for an 8x11 casserole dish or 3 for a 9x13
- 1/2 cup olive oil plus more to drizzle in bottom of casserole dish
- 1 8 oz block feta cheese drained
- 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 10 oz pasta
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp LiteHouse® Frreze Dried Basil plus more to garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Drizzle about 1/8th tsp of olive oil on the bottom of a 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 and season with salt and pepper. 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.
- Meanwhile, make your pasta according to the directions on the package. Reserve a cup of pasta water. Set both the pasta and pasta water aside.
- 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.
- Add in the pasta and stir. Add in the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency. Add in the baby spinach and stir again. The spinach will wilt as you stir.
- Plate and garnish with more freeze-dried basil if you'd like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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 tag us in your Insta-worthy pasta photos @theproducemoms and @naturesweet.
Do you need more than the 8oz of feta if you are using a bigger pan and 3 containers of tomatoes?
It really is up to you. It would work either way!
Where are the measurements for the tomatoes???
It’s 2-3 containers of NatureSweet Glorys (10 oz package) depending on the size of your pan.
I couldn’t find fresh basil like other feta baked pasta recipes called for so I picked up the freeze dried basil. I found your recipe while googling and I’m glad to see that it will work. Thank you!
I was thinking that since it is dried, it would be best to add before cooking but that was only a guess on my part. Did it soften and add flavor like it should by adding at the end?
I’m really looking forward to making this recipe. Now if I can just find the feta in a block. So far I’ve only found the crumbles.
You can really add the freeze dried before or at the end. Blocked feta shortage is a real thing. We have substituted with a block of cream cheese and feta crumbles, and it isn’t too far off! Hope you enjoyed the recipe!
I would like to know if you can freeze ….the baked feta cheese pasta
Yes, you absolutely can!
Yes, you can! And it tastes just as great!