Name: Creamy Baked Feta Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes (Source: 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes); 8 oz asparagus (ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces) (Source: 8 oz asparagus (ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces)); 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese) (Source: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese)); 1/4 tsp salt (Source: 1/4 tsp salt); 1/2 tsp black pepper (Source: 1/2 tsp black pepper); 8 oz block Feta Cheese (Source: 8 oz block Feta Cheese); 10 oz penne pasta (Source: 10 oz penne pasta); 4 each garlic cloves (finely minced, divided) (Source: 4 garlic cloves (finely minced, divided)); 1/4 cup fresh parsley (or basil, finely minced) (Source: 1/4 cup fresh parsley (or basil, finely minced))

Get to know the ingredients

cherry or grape tomatoes

In the method: Add tomatoes and asparagus to a 9x13 casserole.

asparagus (ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces)

In the method: Add tomatoes and asparagus to a 9x13 casserole.

extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese)

In the method: Add 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt.

Let’s make it

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Servings

Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.

Estimating…

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4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
Ingredient note
Source: 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
8 oz asparagus (ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces)
Ingredient note
Source: 8 oz asparagus (ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese)
Ingredient note
Source: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese)
1/4 tsp salt
Ingredient note
Source: 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Ingredient note
Source: 1/2 tsp black pepper
8 oz block Feta Cheese
Ingredient note
Source: 8 oz block Feta Cheese
10 oz penne pasta
Ingredient note
Source: 10 oz penne pasta
4 each garlic cloves (finely minced, divided)
Ingredient note
Source: 4 garlic cloves (finely minced, divided)
1/4 cup fresh parsley (or basil, finely minced)
Ingredient note
Source: 1/4 cup fresh parsley (or basil, finely minced)

How to make it

0 of 4 steps complete

Preheat oven to 400˚F. Add tomatoes and asparagus to a 9x13 casserole. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss to combine. Make a space in the center and place your 8 oz block of feta in the pan. Drizzle the top with 1 Tbsp olive oil and another sprinkle of black pepper. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes until tomatoes start to burst.
About halfway through your baking time, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook according to package instructions, stirring a few times to keep the pasta from sticking. Drain pasta (reserving some cooking water if you decide to add it later).
After 30 minutes, the tomatoes should burst and start to release their juice. Remove from the oven and immediately stir in remaining minced garlic and parsley and toss to combine. Use the back of a large spoon to press the cheese into the olive oil and stir until cheese is well dispersed in the dish.
Stir in drained cooked pasta. Add reserved pasta water if desired. Serve warm. Be mindful of those tomatoes (the juicy centers can be very hot if you eat them right away). Add reserved hot pasta water as desired for saucier pasta.

Make room for Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.

The last little job

Finish as directed

Add reserved hot pasta water as desired for saucier pasta.

A little more help as you go

Preheat as directed

Have the oven at the specified temperature for its cooking step.

Prepare for the next step

Have the next addition ready when the mixture reaches the boil described.

Prepare the finishing addition

Have the final topping or garnish ready for its specified step.

A few questions you might have

What should I prepare first?

Set out the oven and pot. Start with this step: Preheat oven to 400˚F.

Which preparation step should I plan for?

Reserve the cooking water at the step specified, before it is needed for the sauce.

What happens at the end?