TikTok Baked Feta Pasta
The pasta recipe that broke the internet — and for good reason. Whole cherry tomatoes and a block of feta baked together until jammy and melted, then tossed with pasta for a sauce that basically makes itself.
Classic ViralInstagramVegetarian30 Min4 Servings
Why it went viral: The concept is genius in its simplicity — one dish, almost no chopping, and a dramatic reveal when you stir the baked feta into the tomatoes and watch it turn into the creamiest sauce. The oven does all the work.
Ingredients
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200g block of good feta (not crumbled)
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500g cherry tomatoes
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4 cloves garlic, halved
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1/3 cup good quality olive oil
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1 tsp chili flakes
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Salt and black pepper
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400g rigatoni or penne pasta
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Large handful fresh basil
Instructions
1
Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F. In a baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, garlic, and chili flakes. Pour over most of the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
2
Nestle the feta block in the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top of the feta. Bake for 35–40 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and caramelized and the feta is golden on top.
3
Cook your pasta according to packet instructions in well-salted water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
4
Make the sauce: Take the baking dish out of the oven. Use the back of a spoon or fork to break up the feta and burst any remaining tomatoes. Stir everything together into a rough, creamy pink sauce.
5
Toss and serve: Add the drained pasta to the baking dish. Toss to coat, adding pasta water a splash at a time to loosen if needed. Finish with torn fresh basil and extra black pepper.
Pro Tips to Make It Viral
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Use a block of feta, not crumbled. It needs to stay intact in the oven so it can melt down dramatically when you stir it.
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Don’t skip the pasta water. The starchy water is what brings the sauce together and gives it that silky coating.
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Film the stir moment. When you break open the feta and swirl it into the burst tomatoes — that’s your viral clip. Film it close up.
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Add a protein: Toss in cooked shrimp or rotisserie chicken after mixing for a more substantial version.