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Best Baked Feta Pasta with Vegetables

Best Baked Feta Pasta with Vegetables: The Ultimate Easy Dinner

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  • Author: Brenda
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Creamy baked feta pasta loaded with roasted cherry tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, and onions, tossed with tender pasta and topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 sweet onion, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 block feta cheese, drained (7–8 oz)
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons
  • 1 pound rigatoni or penne pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced or torn

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and garlic with olive oil.

2. Season the vegetables with garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper, then toss well to coat evenly.

3. Place the feta cheese block in the center of the vegetable mixture and season lightly with additional salt and pepper.

4. Bake for 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta softens.

5. Increase oven temperature to 450°F and continue baking for 10 minutes until the feta becomes golden brown.

6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.

7. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

8. Remove the baking dish from the oven and use a fork to mash the feta together with the roasted vegetables until creamy and well combined.

9. Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss until evenly coated with the feta sauce.

10. If needed, stir in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the desired sauce consistency is reached.

11. Top with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese before serving warm.


Notes

Rigatoni and penne hold the creamy sauce especially well.

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.

Add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables if desired.

Reserve pasta water to easily loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 13g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg