Viral TikTok Recipe: Roasted Feta Pasta with Bursting Tomatoes

The baked feta with tomato sauce recipe has taken the internet by storm, going viral multiple times on platforms like TikTok. This simple yet delicious recipe requires just a few ingredients, resulting in a mouth-watering dish that’s easy to make. Feta cheese is baked with cherry or grape tomatoes and other flavorful ingredients to create a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. It’s an ideal option for those who want to whip up a quick, satisfying meal with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 2 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 shallot, quartered
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (8-oz.) block feta
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 10 oz. your favorite pasta
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a large ovenproof skillet or a medium baking dish, combine the cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered shallot, smashed garlic, and all but 1 tablespoon of the extra-virgin olive oil. Season with kosher salt and crushed red pepper flakes, and toss to combine.
2. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomato mixture and drizzle it with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Scatter the thyme sprigs over the tomatoes.
3. Bake the mixture for 40 to 45 minutes or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden on top. Make sure to keep the oven temperature steady throughout the cooking process to avoid burning any additional ingredients like garlic or herbs.
4. While the tomato mixture is baking in the oven, cook your pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
5. After removing the skillet or baking dish from the oven, add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) to the tomato and feta mixture. Stir until well combined.
6. Garnish the dish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes:

• This recipe yields 3-4 servings.
• The total time required for this recipe is 45 minutes.
• You can add other ingredients like sliced onions or bell peppers to the tomato mixture to enhance the flavor.
• Adding a scoop of pasta water will help stretch your sauce to coat your pasta more smoothly and generously.
• This recipe is perfect for vegetarians and can easily be made vegan by using a vegan feta cheese substitute.
• Try a few drops of your favorite Hot Sauce on this dish, mix it up and try different varieties!

Baked feta with tomato sauce is a simple and delicious recipe that has taken the internet by storm. It’s perfect for those who want to cook a quick and satisfying meal with minimal effort. By following this recipe, you can create a mouth-watering tomato sauce that pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta. This recipe is customizable and can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. It’s perfect for vegetarians and can be made vegan by using a vegan feta cheese substitute.