Baked Feta Pasta Sun-dried (Printable)

Caramelised onions and sun-dried tomato boost creamy feta pasta with Mediterranean flair and fresh basil.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, 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

# Steps:

01 - Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season generously with salt, black pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss thoroughly to coat.
03 - Place block feta cheese in center of baking dish, nestling it among tomatoes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over feta and season lightly with black pepper.
04 - Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until tomatoes are bursting and feta is soft and golden on the edges.
05 - While baking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until onions are deeply caramelised and golden brown. Set aside.
06 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
07 - Remove baking dish from oven. Add caramelised onions and chopped basil to dish. Using a wooden spoon, stir and blend contents, breaking up feta to create a creamy sauce.
08 - Add drained pasta to baking dish. Toss thoroughly to coat with sauce. If sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
09 - Serve pasta immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and an additional drizzle of olive oil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • No fancy equipment or skills needed
  • A deeply flavorful sauce in only one pan plus pasta
  • Vegetarian friendly and easy to adapt for gluten free needs
02 -
  • Rich in satisfying vegetarian protein
  • Delivers a gourmet flavor with just a handful of steps
  • Makes excellent leftovers that reheat perfectly
03 -
  • Let onions get truly deep golden for maximum flavor do not rush them
  • Always reserve some pasta water it is your best tool for adjusting sauce consistency later
  • Use a spoon to smash the feta and tomatoes together creating an ultra creamy texture right in the pan

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