Save to Pinterest A festive, colorful pasta dish featuring creamy baked feta, cherry tomatoes, and holiday herbs, all cooked together in one pan for a simple yet elegant meal.
I first tried this recipe during Christmas and it quickly became a family favorite due to its simplicity and great flavor combination.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese block: 200 g
- Cherry tomatoes, whole: 500 g
- Garlic, minced: 2 cloves
- Red onion, thinly sliced: 1 small
- Baby spinach: 100 g
- Red bell pepper, diced: 1 small
- Lemon zest: Zest of 1 lemon
- Short pasta (penne fusilli or rigatoni): 300 g
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): 0.5 tsp
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Fresh basil leaves torn (for garnish): 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)
- Prepare baking dish:
- In a large ovenproof baking dish place the feta cheese block in the center Surround with cherry tomatoes red onion red bell pepper and garlic
- Add seasoning and oil:
- Drizzle olive oil over vegetables and feta Sprinkle with dried oregano thyme red pepper flakes if using salt and black pepper Toss vegetables gently keeping feta in center
- Bake:
- Bake for 25 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta is golden and soft
- Cook pasta:
- Meanwhile cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente Reserve 100 ml about ⅓ cup of pasta water then drain
- Combine ingredients:
- Remove baking dish from oven Add spinach and lemon zest to dish
- Mix pasta and sauce:
- Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water Stir everything until feta melts and coats pasta in creamy sauce
- Season and garnish:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm
Save to Pinterest This dish brings warmth and joy to our family gatherings especially during the holiday season everyone looks forward to it
Serving Suggestions
Pair with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc for a perfect holiday meal
Variations
Add roasted walnuts or pine nuts for an extra crunchy texture and nutty flavor
Allergen Information
Contains dairy from feta cheese and gluten from pasta Always check labels if using substitutes
Save to Pinterest Enjoy this easy festive meal perfect for holiday dinners that impress with minimal effort
Common Recipe Questions
- → What pasta types work best for this dish?
Short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni hold the creamy sauce well and complement the baked vegetables perfectly.
- → Can I prepare the dish gluten-free?
Yes, substituting regular pasta with certified gluten-free pasta keeps it suitable for gluten-free diets without altering flavors.
- → How do the herbs affect the flavor?
Dried oregano and thyme add earthy, aromatic notes that balance the richness of the baked feta and sweetness of the tomatoes.
- → Is it possible to add a crunchy texture?
Incorporating roasted walnuts or pine nuts before serving adds a pleasant crunch and nutty depth.
- → What wine pairs well with this pasta?
A crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy feta and bright herbs wonderfully.