Viral recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

Ingredients

• 150 g Feta Cheese (Three small blocks, crumbled after baking)
• 250 g Cherry Tomatoes (Halved; can use roasted tomatoes for deeper flavor)
• 45 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Divided: 2 tbsp for baking, 1 tbsp for finishing drizzle)
• 0.5 tsp Garlic (Minced)
• 0.5 tsp Sea Salt (To taste)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
• 1 tsp Mixed Dried Herbs (Italian seasoning or a blend of oregano, basil, thyme)
• 200 g Spiral Pasta (Fusilli) (Cook al dente)
• 5 g Fresh Basil (Torn leaves for garnish)
• 240 ml Leftover Lamb Chili (optional) (Warmed and mixed in at the end; can be omitted for vegetarian version)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 180°C (350°F) and let it fully preheat while you prepare the ingredients.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 180°C

2. Assemble Feta and Tomatoes

   Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil into a baking dish. Place the feta blocks in the center, then scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around them. Sprinkle minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and mixed herbs over everything.

   Time: PT10M

3. Bake Feta and Tomatoes

   Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, until the feta is soft and the tomatoes have burst and caramelized.

   Time: PT35M

   Temperature: 180°C

4. Cook Pasta

   While the feta bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8–10 minutes.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 100°C (boiling)

5. Drain Pasta

   Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside.

   Time: PT2M

6. Combine and Finish

   Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add a handful of fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, and the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated with the melted feta sauce. If using, stir in the warmed lamb chili.

   Time: PT5M

7. Serve

   Plate the pasta, garnish with extra basil if desired, and enjoy immediately.

   Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

530

Protein

22 g

Carbohydrates

60 g

Fat

66 g

Fiber

2 g