Best 3 Feta Cherry Tomato Pasta Recipes

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Feta cherry tomato pasta is a delightful Mediterranean dish that combines tangy feta cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and flavorful pasta in a vibrant and flavorful symphony. This article will guide you through discovering the best recipe for feta cherry tomato pasta, providing you with tips and tricks to create a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean. Whether you prefer a creamy sauce or a light and refreshing dressing, a vegetarian or a meat-based variation, we'll explore a range of recipes that cater to your preferences and help you create a feta cherry tomato pasta dish that will become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ONE-PAN FETA PASTA WITH CHERRY TOMATOES



One-Pan Feta Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes image

In 2018, the Finnish blogger Jenni Hayrinen posted a recipe for baked feta pasta. The dish became a full-on TikTok sensation, popular to the point that supermarkets were selling out of feta. This version streamlines her recipe. Instead of cooking the pasta separately, it's added to the casserole dish with the baked feta and tomatoes, turning it into a cozy one-pan meal. (Also note that you'll need an electric kettle to boil the water. So maybe it's more like a one-and-a-half-pan meal.) Don't think of this as a pasta dish in an Italian, al-dente sense. It's more like a creamy casserole along the lines of mac and cheese. In any case, it's comforting and supremely easy.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pints cherry tomatoes
5 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
5 thyme sprigs
2 rosemary sprigs
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
8 ounces feta
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving
Pinch of red-pepper flakes
12 ounces short pasta, such as farfalle, campanelle, rotini or cavatappi
3 cups boiling water
1 cup torn basil leaves
Flaky sea salt, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a shallow 2-quart casserole or gratin dish, or an 11-by-7-inch baking dish, combine tomatoes, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Toss with 1/4 cup of the olive oil to coat. Place the feta in the middle of the dish, and top with the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle the black pepper and red-pepper flakes over everything. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and the tomatoes have burst their skins.
  • Add the pasta to the pan in an even layer and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pour the boiling water on top. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, carefully submerge pasta. Cover tightly with foil and bake until pasta is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Remove from oven and let the pasta stand, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the excess liquid.
  • Stir in basil until everything is well incorporated, and the tomatoes and cheese create a creamy sauce. When serving, top with more black pepper, oil and flaky sea salt.

BAKED FETA PASTA



Baked Feta Pasta image

Whether you're an avid TikTok user or just a casual Instagram consumer, you've probably seen the feta and tomato pasta taking the social media world by storm. It has an interesting history. In 2018, Finnish blogger Tiiu Piret (@tiiupiret) shared a recipe for a pasta containing prosecco, baked feta and tomatoes. In 2019, another Finnish blogger, Jenni Häyrinen (@liemessa), shared her simplified version of the dish on her blog and Instagram using the hashtag #uuifetapasta. (Afterward, sales of feta in Finland apparently increased by 300 percent.) American food influencer MacKenzie Smith (@grilledcheesesocial) eventually heard about the dish from a friend with a Finnish boyfriend. In January 2021, she posted a translation of the popular recipe on her blog and Instagram, which led to it going viral in the United States. It's easy to see why the recipe has achieved such fame: Cherry tomatoes and a whole block of feta are baked until soft and melty, then tossed with garlic, basil and cooked noodles for a beautifully cheesy dish. We opted to use a short tube pasta so the sauce can get trapped inside each piece and added a pinch of flaky sea salt on top to perfectly balance the dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pints (20 ounces) cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 8-ounce block feta cheese, drained (see Cook's Note)
10 ounces mezze rigatoni
1 clove garlic, finely grated
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Flaky sea salt, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Toss the cherry tomatoes and olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Transfer to a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish, place the feta in the center of the tomatoes and season with a pinch of black pepper. Bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Raise the heat to 450 degrees F and continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
  • As soon as the tomatoes and feta come out of the oven, stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Use the back of a spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a smooth and creamy sauce (it's okay if some of the oil isn't fully integrated). Add the pasta and half the basil and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in some pasta water a couple tablespoons at a time. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the remaining basil and a pinch of sea salt.

EASY FETA TOMATO PASTA



Easy Feta Tomato Pasta image

Feta, tomato, and olive oil are tossed with pasta in a super quick meal ready in just 20 minutes. Dinner doesn't get much quicker, healthier, or tastier than this! Boil any short pasta shape, make the quick and easy sauce while the pasta boils... and that's about it!

Provided by Diana Moutsopoulos

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (12 ounce) package penne pasta
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
16 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and salt to taste. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are soft and have released their juices, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta and immediately add to the pan of tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and toss to coat. Add feta cheese, and basil and stir through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 695.6 calories, Carbohydrate 70.4 g, Cholesterol 66.8 mg, Fat 37 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 14.3 g, Sodium 851.7 mg, Sugar 5.9 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes: This will ensure the best flavor and texture.
  • Choose a good quality feta cheese: A creamy, flavorful feta will make a big difference in the dish.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: It should be cooked al dente, still slightly firm to the bite.
  • If you don't have fresh basil, you can use dried basil instead. Just add it at the end of cooking, as it will lose its flavor if cooked for too long.
  • Serve the pasta immediately: It is best enjoyed fresh and hot.

Conclusion:

Feta cherry tomato pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a simple but satisfying meal, give feta cherry tomato pasta a try!

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