Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces feta cheese
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 1 pound pasta, such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to heat fully while you prepare ingredients.
- Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
- Transfer the dried tomatoes to a large baking sheet and drizzle with 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
- Mince the garlic cloves and scatter them evenly across the tomatoes.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper over the tomato mixture.
- Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tomato skins burst and begin to caramelize.
- Shake the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting.
- While the tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until just al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta through a colander.
- Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and add them to a large serving bowl.
- Crumble the feta cheese directly into the hot roasted tomatoes.
- Allow the residual heat to soften and partially melt the feta into a creamy consistency.
- Add the drained pasta to the tomato and feta mixture.
- Toss gently to combine.
- Slowly add the reserved pasta water while tossing to emulsify the sauce.
- Tear fresh basil leaves by hand and fold them into the pasta, reserving some for garnish.
- Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the finished pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasonings with additional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately while warm, garnished with remaining fresh basil leaves and cracked black pepper.
Notes
Use ripe cherry tomatoes and quality feta for the best flavor. Do not skip the reserved pasta water because it helps create the silky sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
