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Baked Feta Pasta Cherry

Featured in: Weeknight Dinners

This Mediterranean-inspired pasta features a creamy baked feta block roasted alongside sweet cherry tomatoes and briny Kalamata olives. After baking until the tomatoes burst and the cheese softens to a luscious texture, the mixture is mashed to create a rich sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta and enhanced with garlic, oregano, and olive oil, this dish balances flavors and textures beautifully. Fresh basil adds a fragrant finishing touch. Quick to prepare, it's an easy yet flavorful centerpiece for a satisfying vegetarian main.

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Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:34:00 GMT
Creamy baked feta pasta with burst cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil, a vivid dish. Save
Creamy baked feta pasta with burst cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil, a vivid dish. | aeroskillet.com

A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring creamy baked feta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and briny olives, all tossed with al dente pasta for a simple yet irresistible meal.

This dish became a family favorite the first time I baked it; the blend of tangy feta and sweet tomatoes never fails to impress.

Ingredients

  • Feta Cheese: 200 g feta cheese block
  • Cherry Tomatoes: 500 g, halved
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Short Pasta: 300 g (e.g., penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
  • Kalamata Olives: 100 g pitted, halved
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: 2 tbsp
  • Dried Oregano: 1 tsp
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 1/2 tsp (optional)
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: to serve
  • Salt and Black Pepper: to taste

Instructions

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Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.
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Preheat Oven:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Prepare Baking Dish:
Place the feta block in the center of a baking dish. Surround it with cherry tomatoes and olives.
Season:
Drizzle everything with olive oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
Bake:
Bake for 25 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and soft.
Cook Pasta:
Meanwhile cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water then drain.
Mash:
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta and tomatoes together mixing well to create a creamy sauce.
Combine:
Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish tossing to coat. If needed add reserved pasta water a little at a time for a silkier sauce.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Product image
Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.
Check price on Amazon
Golden, melted baked feta pasta with sweet tomatoes, a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean meal. Save
Golden, melted baked feta pasta with sweet tomatoes, a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean meal. | aeroskillet.com

This meal often sparks joy at our dinner table, bringing everyone together to enjoy the fresh Mediterranean flavors.

Notes

Try adding baby spinach or arugula for extra greens. Use a gluten-free pasta if needed. Excellent wine pairing: a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a dry rosé.

Required Tools

Baking dish Large pot Colander Mixing spoon or fork Chef's knife and cutting board

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 480 Total Fat 19 g Carbohydrates 56 g Protein 17 g

Close-up of baked feta pasta, showing the vibrant red tomatoes and olives over al dente pasta. Save
Close-up of baked feta pasta, showing the vibrant red tomatoes and olives over al dente pasta. | aeroskillet.com
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Enjoy this simple but delicious pasta that brings Mediterranean charm to your dining table with minimal effort.

Recipe Q&A

→ What type of pasta works best with baked feta?

Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni hold the sauce well and complement the creamy texture.

→ Can I use other cheeses instead of feta?

Feta's tangy creaminess is key, but crumbly goat cheese or ricotta salata can be alternatives with different flavor profiles.

→ How do the cherry tomatoes contribute to the dish?

Cherry tomatoes burst during baking, releasing sweet juices that blend with the cheese to create a rich, flavorful sauce.

→ Are Kalamata olives essential for this dish?

Kalamata olives add a distinct briny depth, but other pitted black or green olives can be substituted according to taste.

→ Is it possible to add greens to this dish?

Yes, stirring in baby spinach or arugula after baking adds freshness and extra nutrients without overpowering the flavors.

Baked Feta Pasta Cherry

Mediterranean-inspired dish with baked feta, cherry tomatoes, olives, and perfectly cooked pasta.

Prep Duration
10 minutes
Time to Cook
30 minutes
Total Duration
40 minutes
Created by Brooke Williams


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Mediterranean

Makes 4 Portions

Diet Info Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

Vegetables & Cheese

01 7 oz feta cheese block
02 18 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
03 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

01 10.5 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

Olives & Herbs

01 3.5 oz pitted Kalamata olives, halved
02 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
03 1 tsp dried oregano
04 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
05 Fresh basil leaves, to serve

Seasoning

01 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking.

Step 02

Arrange ingredients: Place the feta block in the center of a baking dish and surround it with halved cherry tomatoes and pitted olives.

Step 03

Season and oil: Drizzle olive oil over the feta, tomatoes, and olives. Sprinkle minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 04

Bake mixture: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and softened.

Step 05

Cook pasta: While baking, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

Step 06

Combine sauce and mash: Remove baking dish from the oven and mash the feta and tomatoes together with a fork until creamy.

Step 07

Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish and toss to coat thoroughly. Add reserved pasta water gradually for a silkier consistency if needed.

Step 08

Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Equipment Needed

  • Baking dish
  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing spoon or fork
  • Chef's knife and cutting board

Allergy Notice

Check every product used for allergens. If you're unsure, talk to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains milk (feta cheese).
  • Contains wheat unless gluten-free pasta is used.
  • Check for potential nut contamination in pre-pitted olives.

Nutrition Details (for each serving)

Nutritional values are general and not a substitute for professional medical counsel.
  • Energy: 480
  • Fats: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Proteins: 17 g