Easy baked feta and tomatoes pasta that's creamy, flavorful, and ready in 45 minutes. Boost protein with smoked salmon for a quick weeknight dinner!
Craving more feta goodness? Check out my Easy Spinach Orzo Salad with Feta, Best Avocado Spread with Feta, or Fried Eggs with Feta for quick and tasty ideas
Recipe Summary
- ✅ Recipe Name: Baked Feta and Tomatoes Pasta
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes prep time, 30 minutes cook time
- 🧑🧒🧒 Serves: 3 people
- 🍽️ Calories: 697 kcal
- 🥣 Ingredients: Dry pasta, block feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, spices, garlic, smoked salmon (optional)
- 👏 Why You'll Love It: Creamy silky sauce, quick & simple, perfect for busy weeknights.
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The viral baked feta and tomatoes pasta (aka TikTok pasta) is finally on my table, and it's every bit as amazing as the hype 👌! Creamy, cheesy, and easy to make, it's perfect for busy weekday family meals or even special occasion meals. Fresh basil adds a bright, fresh touch, making every bite irresistible.
This recipe first went viral on TikTok in 2021, but it actually started in Finland on Jenni Häyrinen's blog in 2019. You can easily customize it with your favorite ingredients. Pair it with my Simple Red Cabagge Salad for a simple, crowd-pleasing meal that's ready in no time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
My kids adore mac and cheese (honestly, who doesn't 😏?), but I never reach for boxed versions. Making it from scratch at home is quick, simple, and way healthier. Instead of powdered cheese, I use real feta, usually crumbled, but thanks to the viral TikTok feta pasta, I discovered that baking an entire block of feta creates a silky, creamy sauce that takes my mac and cheese to the next level. It's now even richer, smoother, and absolutely irresistible! Here is why you'll love this recipe:
- Made with real feta cheese for a healthier, flavorful twist.
- Baking a whole block of feta creates a creamy, silky sauce.
- Quick and simple, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Dry pasta: penne, fusilli, or any other kind of pasta works well (any short pasta shapes are best, really).
- Greek feta cheese: I made mine with sheep's milk feta. You might try using vegan feta, but I always made it with dairy feta, so I don't know what the results might be.
- Cherry tomatoes: you can also use grape tomatoes, but you should cut them in half.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
- Oregano, thyme, and a bunch of fresh basil.
- Garlic cloves, minced.
- Optional: smoked salmon (if you want more protein). You can make it without salmon; it will still taste great.
- Another great option: red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference).
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Oil baking casserole dish with 2 tablespoon olive oil. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish.
- Step 2: Add cherry tomatoes around the feta cheese. Add salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the feta.
- Step 3: Bake uncovered at 400 F (200 C) until the feta cheese is soft and golden brown and the tomatoes are blistered (approximately 25 minutes, but it will depend on your oven).
- Step 4: While the feta is baking, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve a little pasta water before draining (one cup of pasta water should be enough).
- Step 5: Once the feta is done, remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the softened feta and mix it with the roasted tomatoes until you get a creamy sauce.
- Step 6: Prepare the fresh basil and garlic (optionally, cut the smoked salmon into small pieces). Add to the creamy sauce.
- Step 7: Add the cooked al dente pasta to the baking dish with the feta-tomato mixture.
- Step 8: Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy consistency.
Hint
Bake the whole block of feta for a silky, creamy sauce, do not replace it with crumbled feta cheese.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftover baked feta pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Microwave: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Adjust time based on your microwave and portion size.
- Stovetop: Use a non-stick skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water, broth, or milk to prevent sticking and keep the pasta creamy. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Top Tip
Avoid overheating to keep the pasta from getting mushy. If it seems dry, add a little more liquid. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of fresh herbs to boost flavor.
FAQ
Yes! Feta doesn't melt like mozzarella, but when you bake a whole block in the oven, it softens beautifully and turns creamy and silky. That's exactly what makes baked feta pasta so amazing.
For baked feta and tomatoes, pop them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes. The tomatoes should be soft and juicy, and the feta should be golden on top and creamy inside.
Related
Looking for other pasta recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with feta and tomatoes pasta:
Let's Hear From You
⭐ Love this recipe? Leave a rating and comment below!
📖 Recipe
Baked Feta and Tomatoes Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)
Video
Ingredients
- ½ box pasta 8 oz
- 8 oz feta cheese one block
- 16 oz cherry tomatoes
- 4 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 bunch fresh basil
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 2 oz smoked salmon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Oil baking casserole dish with 2 tablespoon olive oil.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish.
- Add cherry tomatoes around the feta cheese.
- Add salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the feta.
- Bake uncovered at 400 F (200 C) until the feta cheese is soft and golden brown and the tomatoes are blistered (approximately 25 minutes, but it will depend on your oven).
- While the feta is baking, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve a little pasta water before draining (one cup of pasta water should be enough).
- Prepare the fresh basil and garlic, and cut the smoked salmon into small pieces.
- Once the feta is done, remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the softened feta and mix it with the roasted tomatoes until you get a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked al dente pasta to the baking dish with the feta-tomato mixture. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Add smoked salmon and fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Notes
- Pasta: penne, fusilli, or any other kind of pasta works well (any short pasta shapes are best).
- Greek feta cheese: I made mine with sheep's milk feta. You might try using vegan feta, but I always made it with dairy feta, so I don't know what the results might be.
- Cherry tomatoes : you can also use grape tomatoes, but you should cut them in half.
- Smoked salmon: You can make it without salmon; it will still taste great.
- Another great option is to add red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference).
Dr. Nena Stefanovic says
My go-to recipe for sneaking more veggies into the mac and cheese I usually make for my kids. Absolutely delicious and highly recommended!