Save A festive, creamy pasta dish featuring oven-roasted feta, bursting cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a snowy sprinkle of grated Parmesan, perfect for a holiday table.
This cozy chicken stew was a hit with my family during last winter's holiday celebration.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g (7 oz)
- Parmesan cheese: 60 g (2 oz) finely grated
- Cherry tomatoes: 500 g (1 lb) mixed colors preferred
- Garlic: 3 cloves peeled and thinly sliced
- Red onion (optional): 1 small thinly sliced
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
- Short pasta: 350 g (12 oz) fusilli penne or rigatoni
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Red pepper flakes (optional): ½ tsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)
- Arrange ingredients:
- Place the feta cheese block in the center of baking dish Arrange cherry tomatoes garlic and onion if using around the feta
- Season:
- Drizzle everything with olive oil sprinkle with oregano red pepper flakes if using salt and pepper
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden at the edges
- Cook pasta:
- Cook pasta in large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water then drain pasta
- Mash feta mixture:
- Remove baking dish from oven Gently mash and mix feta with tomatoes and garlic until creamy
- Combine:
- Add hot pasta to baking dish tossing everything together Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed for silky sauce
- Serve:
- Serve immediately topped with generous snowfall of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves
Save This recipe brings our family together every holiday creating warm memories.
Notes
Add baby spinach or roasted red peppers for extra color and flavor
Required Tools
Oven-safe baking dish Large pot Strainer Mixing spoon
Allergen Information
Contains milk feta Parmesan wheat pasta Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability For gluten-free use certified gluten-free pasta
Save Enjoy this festive pasta dish with a perfect balance of creaminess and freshness.
Recipe Help
- → Can I use different types of pasta for this dish?
Yes, short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or rigatoni work best as they hold the sauce well and blend beautifully with the creamy baked feta and tomatoes.
- → How do I achieve the creamy texture with feta and tomatoes?
Baking the whole feta block with cherry tomatoes softens the cheese. Then, mashing it with the burst tomatoes creates a natural creamy sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the dairy feta and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives, ensuring similar texture and flavor, while keeping the baking and mixing steps the same.
- → What herbs and spices enhance the flavor?
Dried oregano and red pepper flakes add warmth and depth, complemented by fresh basil leaves garnished at the end to bring brightness and aroma.
- → Can I prepare this dish in advance?
It's best enjoyed fresh to preserve the creamy texture of the baked feta and the brightness of the tomatoes, but you can prepare ingredients ahead and combine before serving.