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Creamy Baked Feta Pasta Recipe Easy with Cherry Tomatoes Spinach

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A quick and easy creamy baked feta pasta with burst cherry tomatoes and baby spinach, perfect for comforting weeknight dinners with a fresh twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block feta cheese (about 7 oz / 200 g), preferably full-fat
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 300 g), whole
  • 3 cups baby spinach (90 g), fresh
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (30 ml)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta (225 g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized baking dish and spread it evenly. Place the block of feta in the center.
  3. Add the cherry tomatoes around the feta. Toss them lightly with the remaining olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  4. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta softens but holds its shape. Watch carefully after 25 minutes to avoid burning the garlic.
  5. While the cheese and tomatoes bake, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente.
  6. Reserve about ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water before draining.
  7. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and burst tomatoes together, forming a creamy sauce.
  8. Add the baby spinach to the baking dish and toss gently to wilt the leaves in the residual heat.
  9. Combine the drained pasta with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired creaminess.
  10. Finish with fresh lemon juice. Stir to brighten the flavors and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Use full-fat feta for creaminess. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce. Watch baking time to avoid burning garlic. Add spinach after baking to preserve color and texture. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish. Gluten-free and vegan substitutions available.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/creamy-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-easy-with-cherry-tomatoes-spinach/