Baked Feta Pasta Caramelised (Print View)
Creamy feta melts with caramelised onions and sun-dried tomatoes, tossed with pasta for rich Mediterranean flavor.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni
→ Cheese
02 - 7 oz block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus extra for serving
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Generously season with salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss mixture to coat evenly.
03 - Place feta block at the center of the dish, nestling among tomatoes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over feta and season lightly with black pepper.
04 - Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake for 25–30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta is softened, with lightly golden edges.
05 - While cheese and tomatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until onions are deeply caramelised and golden brown. Set aside once done.
06 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add dried pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta thoroughly.
07 - Remove baking dish from oven. Immediately add caramelised onions and chopped basil to the dish. Stir together, gently breaking up feta to blend into a creamy sauce.
08 - Add cooked pasta to dish and toss to coat all ingredients. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed until sauce reaches desired creaminess.
09 - Serve promptly, garnished with extra basil and a drizzle of olive oil if preferred.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Deeply flavorful with creamy feta and sweet caramelised onions
- Quick prep and hands-off baking for easy weeknight dinners
02 -
- This recipe contains milk (feta cheese) and wheat (pasta)
- To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and double-check sun-dried tomatoes for cross-contamination
03 -
- Add a handful of baby spinach or arugula before serving for extra nutrition and brightness
- Use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred