Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta brings bold flavor together in one pan. Juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, fresh herbs, and a splash of balsamic vinegar bake into a gooey, comforting pasta casserole that's perfect for weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Why You'll Love This Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta Bake
This incredibly easy baked pasta dish combines the creamy tang of feta cheese with the sweetness of fresh tomatoes for a flavor explosion in every bite. The recipe utilizes your favorite pasta of choice, tossed with juicy cherry or grape tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, and a generous block of feta cheese.
- Simple and Quick: This recipe comes together in under an hour with minimal prep work, perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single baking dish, minimizing cleanup.
- Flavorful and Customizable: The combination of creamy feta, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs creates a delicious and versatile base that can be easily adapted to your taste.
- Family-Friendly: This crowd-pleasing dish is sure to be a hit with people of all ages.
Ingredients Overview
Choose your favorite pasta: ziti, radiatore, linguine, you name it. While cherry tomatoes are recommended, even chopped Roma tomatoes work in a pinch! Don't skimp on the fresh basil though, as dried doesn't work.
- Feta cheese block, drained
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- White or yellow onion, slivered
- Olive oil
- Garlic, minced
- Italian Seasoning (see our Italian Seasoning recipe to make your own blend also)
- Balsamic vinegar or glaze (either will work)
- Dry, short pasta is best, but ANY pasta can be used
- Fresh basil leaves (or spinach if you prefer)
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Feta Cheese Tomato Pasta
Simply add the ingredients in the order listed and pop in your oven. After a quick bake in the oven, the result is a delightful casserole with tender pasta, perfectly cooked tomatoes, and a melty, decadent feta cheese sauce.
Fresh basil leaves stirred in after baking add a final touch of flavor, making this Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta a guaranteed weeknight favorite.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425F. In a large baking dish, toss tomatoes and slivered onions with olive oil.
Step 2: Spread tomatoes and onion into an even layer in the dish, leaving a small space in the center for the feta cheese.
Step 3: Add feta cheese and season with the Italian seasoning herbs, minced garlic, black pepper and the balsamic vinegar.
Step 4: Place the dish in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 20 minutes. While the dish is baking, boil your pasta in salted water according to package directions.
Step 5: Remove dish from oven. Add the fresh basil leaves to the baked tomatoes and feta cheese. Before you drain the pasta, reserve ½ cup of the cooking water and set aside.
Step 6: Drizzle about ¼ cup of the pasta water over the basil leaves and toss all ingredients together until basil leaves begin to wilt, the feta cheese melts in the tomatoes, and a thick sauce forms.
Step 7: Toss in cooked and drained pasta. Add in more pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
Step 8: Stir the pasta into the feta cheese and cooked tomatoes to create a creamy sauce that coats all the pasta. Serve immediately.
Pro Tip
For easier removal, fit the loaf pan with parchment paper (or aluminum foil) with some overhang on the long sides of the pan. You can easily lift the cooled cake out with the overhang!
Serving Suggestions
Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta is a satisfying main course on its own, or add a side salad and crusty bread rolls for a complete meal. You can also serve it as a comforting side dish alongside broiled chicken thighs or fish.
Add a fresh green salad and some garlic butter breadsticks for a complete meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Some useful tips and substitutions when making this recipe:
- Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle, or even gluten-free alternatives.
- If cherry or grape tomatoes are unavailable, you can use chopped Roma tomatoes.
- Swap the basil for chopped fresh spinach leaves.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey for a kick of heat.
Tips for Success
Helpful tips to help you when making this recipe:
- Use high-quality feta: Block feta (not pre-crumbled) melts better and gives a creamier texture.
- Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes work best for sweetness and sauciness.
- Don't skimp on the olive oil: It helps everything roast evenly and creates a rich, glossy sauce.
- Salt thoughtfully: Feta is naturally salty, so taste before adding extra salt at the end.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Adding basil or parsley after baking keeps the flavors bright and fresh.
- Broiling for a minute or two at the end adds a delightful crispy texture to the feta cheese.
Storage Options
Here is how I store leftovers when making this recipe:
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months.
- Individual portions: Divide into single servings before storing for easy grab-and-reheat meals.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of water or olive oil to loosen the sauce.
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the dish ahead of time, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Related Recipes
- Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
- Oven Roasted Garlic
- San Giorgio Baked Ziti (Meatless Baked Ziti)
- Creamy Spinach Artichoke Baked Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions
It's best to use a block of feta because it softens and helps create a creamy sauce as it bakes-pre-crumbled feta often has anti-caking agents and won't melt as smoothly.
Yes, saving some pasta water before draining helps loosen the sauce and makes it silkier, thanks to the starchy liquid.
Absolutely, home cooks often add spinach, bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, olives, or protein like chicken for extra flavor and nutrition.
You can prep the roasted tomato-feta base earlier, but for best texture and freshness, it's often recommended to mix with the pasta and serve right after baking or reheat gently before serving.
Easy Casserole Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Feta Cheese and Tomato Pasta
Equipment
- Ceramic 9x13 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
- 24 ounces cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- ½ large Yellow onion slivered
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 7 oz feta cheese drained
- 1½ teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 8 oz dried short pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water from the cooked pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves or baby spinach if you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. In a large baking dish, toss tomatoes and slivered onions with olive oil.24 ounces cherry tomatoes , ½ large Yellow onion , 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Spread tomatoes and onion into an even layer in the dish, leaving a small space in the center for the feta cheese. Add feta cheese and season with the Italian seasoning herbs, minced garlic, black pepper and the balsamic vinegar.7 oz feta cheese , 1½ teaspoon Italian seasonings, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic , 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Place the dish in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the dish is baking, boil your pasta in salted water according to package directions.8 oz dried short pasta, 1 teaspoon salt
- Before you drain the pasta, reserve ½ cup of the cooking water and set aside.½ cup water
- Remove dish from oven. Add the fresh basil leaves. Drizzle about ¼ cup of the pasta water over the basil leaves and toss all ingredients together until basil leaves begin to wilt, the feta cheese melts in the tomatoes, and a thick sauce forms.1 cup fresh basil leaves
- Toss in cooked and drained pasta. Add in more pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Serve.
Notes
- Use high-quality feta: Block feta (not pre-crumbled) melts better and gives a creamier texture.
- Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes work best for sweetness and sauciness.
- Don't skimp on the olive oil: It helps everything roast evenly and creates a rich, glossy sauce.
- Salt thoughtfully: Feta is naturally salty, so taste before adding extra salt at the end.
- Finish with fresh herbs: Adding basil or parsley after baking keeps the flavors bright and fresh.
- Broiling for a minute or two at the end adds a delightful crispy texture to the feta cheese.
Kelly Bloom says
Delicious, I'm making this again!