Baked feta pasta started in Finland, where a food blogger named Jenni Häyrinen created a dish called “Uunifetapasta” in 2019. It became popular in her country, but it really took off when it was shared on TikTok. People loved watching how simple ingredients turned into a creamy pasta dish, and soon millions of people were making it at home. This dish became a favorite around the world. In this version, adding cream cheese makes the sauce even smoother and tastier.
Ingredients
Cherry Tomatoes
- Sweet and juicy, they roast beautifully to create the base of the sauce. Roasting enhances their natural sweetness and makes them soft for mashing.
- Tip: Use ripe cherry or grape tomatoes for the best flavor. If they’re slightly underripe, you can add a small pinch of sugar before roasting to enhance sweetness.
Feta Cheese (Whole Block)
- The key ingredient, feta, adds a tangy and creamy flavor. Roasting it gives it a rich texture that blends beautifully with the tomatoes.
- Tip: Use a good-quality feta made from sheep’s or goat’s milk for optimal creaminess and flavor.
Cream Cheese (Broken Up)
- Enhances creaminess and balances the tanginess of the feta. It melts into the sauce while baking.
- Tip: Soften the cream cheese at room temperature for even melting.
Garlic (Crushed)
- Adds depth and savory flavor to the sauce. Roasting garlic mellows its sharpness and enhances its sweetness.
- Tip: For a stronger garlic flavor, finely mince instead of crushing.
Olive Oil
- Used for drizzling to ensure the feta and tomatoes roast evenly without drying out. It also adds richness to the sauce.
- Tip: Reserve some olive oil for finishing the dish with a drizzle for extra flavor and sheen.
Seasonings
- Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne, Crushed Red Pepper, and Dried Parsley: These seasonings provide flavor, a touch of heat, and herbaceous notes. Adjust the cayenne and crushed red pepper to your spice preference.
- Tip: Fresh parsley can be used as a garnish after baking for a fresher taste.
Rotini Pasta
- Its spirals hold the sauce well, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Tip: Substitute with rigatoni, penne, or fusilli if preferred.
Heavy Cream
- Added after baking to make the sauce smooth and creamy, complementing the tanginess of the feta.
- Tip: Warm the cream slightly before mixing it in to prevent curdling.
Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
- Adds a nutty, savory layer of flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Salt
- Enhances the overall flavors. Use sparingly since feta and Parmesan are already salty.
How To Make Baked Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Baking Dish: In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, block of feta, broken-up cream cheese, and crushed garlic.
Step 2: Season the Ingredients
- Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes and feta. Ensure they are well-coated for even roasting.
- Sprinkle black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and crushed red pepper over the mixture.
- Finish with dried parsley, spreading it evenly over the top.
Step 3: Roast the Tomatoes and Feta
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and the feta cheese has turned golden.
- Tip: For an extra caramelized flavor, broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Step 4: Cook the Pasta
- While the tomatoes and feta are roasting, cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Boil it in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Tip: Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. You can use it later to adjust the consistency of the sauce.
Step 5: Mash and Mix the Sauce
- Once the tomatoes and feta are roasted, remove the dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and tomatoes together, stirring until well combined. The juices from the roasted tomatoes will create a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Tip: Mash the tomatoes lightly to leave some texture if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
Step 6: Add the Cream and Parmesan
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
- Tip: Add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the sauce feels too thick.
Step 7: Combine with Pasta
- Add the cooked rotini to the baking dish and toss it with the sauce until evenly coated. Ensure each piece of pasta is well covered in the creamy, cheesy mixture.
Step 8: Serve
- Serve the pasta warm, garnished with extra parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, or additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Pro Tips for Perfect Baked Feta Pasta
- Quality Ingredients Matter
- Use the best-quality feta cheese and olive oil you can find. These two ingredients are the stars of the dish.
- Balance the Spices
- Adjust the cayenne and crushed red pepper to suit your spice tolerance. For a milder version, omit them entirely.
- Reserve Pasta Water
- The starchy water helps adjust the sauce’s consistency and helps it cling better to the pasta.
- Customize Add-Ins
- Add cooked chicken, shrimp, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms to make it a complete meal.
- Serve Fresh
- This dish is best served immediately after preparation. If reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Make it Gluten-Free
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
How To Store
Baked feta cheese pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also prepare it ahead by storing the assembled feta mixture in a casserole dish and keeping the cooked pasta separate. When ready to serve, simply combine and bake. The unbaked sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before use.
Baked Feta And Cream Cheese Pasta
Baked feta pasta started in Finland, where a food blogger named Jenni Häyrinen created a dish called "Uunifetapasta" in 2019. It became popular in her country, but it really took off when it was shared on TikTok. People loved watching how simple ingredients turned into a creamy pasta dish, and soon many of people were making it at home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz feta cheese whole block
- 4 oz cream cheese broken up
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 tbsp olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta cooked and drained
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cream cheese, crushed garlic, and olive oil. Season with black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle dried parsley over the top.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the feta and tomatoes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden.
- While baking, cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Once the feta and tomatoes are done, remove from the oven and use a fork to mix everything together, mashing the feta as it combines with the tomatoes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the creamy mixture and toss until well coated. Adjust salt to taste.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired.