Feta Fiesta Pasta Bake

$To make this tasty dish, you need: - 300g pasta (penne or rigatoni) - 200g feta cheese, cubed - 400g cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 red onion, diced - 3 garlic cloves, minced - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat) - Salt and pepper, to taste - ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn - 100g shredded mozzarella cheese You will need a few key items to cook this dish: - Large pot for boiling pasta - Mixing bowl for combining ingredients - Baking dish for the oven - Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing These tools help make cooking easier and more fun! If you need to change some ingredients, here are some ideas: - Pasta: You can use any pasta shape you like. - Feta: Try goat cheese or ricotta for a different taste. - Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes work too, but fresh is best. - Onion: Shallots or green onions can replace red onion. - Herbs: Use Italian seasoning if you don't have oregano. - Cheese: Swap mozzarella with a cheese you enjoy, like cheddar. These swaps keep the dish tasty while using what you have at home! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, gather all your ingredients. You need 300g of pasta, like penne or rigatoni. Next, cut 400g of cherry tomatoes in half. Dice 1 red onion and chop 3 cloves of garlic. Measure out 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want heat. Don't forget salt and pepper for taste. Lastly, have 200g of cubed feta cheese, 100g of shredded mozzarella, and ½ cup of fresh basil leaves ready. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) now. Boil water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Once it boils, add your pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it's al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. When it's done, drain the pasta in a colander. Set it aside while you mix the sauce. In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, diced onion, and chopped garlic. Pour in the olive oil, add oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until the tomatoes are well coated. Next, add the drained pasta to this mixture and stir gently. Now, spread half of this pasta mix into a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the feta cheese on top. Layer the rest of the pasta mixture over it, followed by the remaining feta. Finally, top it all with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. You want the cheese to become golden and bubbly. When it's ready, take it out and sprinkle fresh basil on top for extra flavor. Enjoy your meal hot from the oven! To make your feta tomato pasta bake just right, follow these tips. Use the best quality feta you can find. It adds great flavor. Make sure your pasta is al dente. This keeps it firm while baking. Mix the ingredients well to coat everything. This ensures each bite is tasty. Serve the pasta bake hot from the oven. It looks great in individual bowls. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil on top. A drizzle of olive oil adds a nice touch. For extra flavor, serve with crusty bread. It’s perfect for sopping up any sauce. You can also pair it with a simple salad. This adds freshness to your meal. Avoid overcooking the pasta. If it’s too soft, it will get mushy in the oven. Don’t skip the olive oil. It helps everything blend nicely. Make sure to season well with salt and pepper. Taste the mix before baking. Lastly, don’t forget the basil at the end. It brightens the dish and makes it pop! Pro Tips Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for sturdier pastas like Penne or Rigatoni that hold up well when baked. Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: While dried oregano works well, using fresh herbs enhances the flavor even more. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrition and flavor. Make Ahead: Prepare the dish ahead of time and store it in the fridge; bake it just before serving for a quick meal. {{image_4}} You can easily change this recipe to fit your diet. If you want a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta. For a vegan twist, swap feta for a plant-based cheese. You can also skip the cheese altogether for a lighter dish. If you need a low-carb version, try zucchini noodles instead of pasta. To add more depth to the dish, consider using fresh herbs. Basil is great, but try thyme or parsley for a new taste. You can also mix in sun-dried tomatoes for sweetness. If you love spice, add more red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño. A squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can brighten the flavors too. Feel free to get creative with your ingredients. Instead of cherry tomatoes, use diced bell peppers or spinach. You can also try adding cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Swap out the mozzarella for a different cheese like cheddar or gouda if you prefer. These changes keep the dish fresh and fun while still being simple to make! After you finish your delicious feta tomato pasta bake, let it cool. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. Make sure to label your container with the date. This way, you know when to eat it. To reheat your pasta bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place your pasta bake in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil to keep it moist. Heat it for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you want a crispy top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes. You can also use a microwave. Heat it in short bursts, stirring in between. This helps it heat evenly. Want to save some for later? You can freeze the pasta bake! First, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. You can also use a freezer-safe container. It will stay good for about 2 to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it in the oven for the best taste. To make feta tomato pasta bake, start by preheating your oven to 200°C (400°F). Cook 300g of pasta until it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside. In a large bowl, mix 400g of halved cherry tomatoes, one diced red onion, three minced garlic cloves, three tablespoons of olive oil, one teaspoon of dried oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Stir until the tomatoes are coated. Add the cooked pasta and mix gently. Layer half of the pasta mix in a baking dish, then sprinkle half of 200g of cubed feta cheese. Add the rest of the pasta and top with the remaining feta. Finish with 100g of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Top with fresh basil before serving. Yes, you can use different types of cheese. Feta gives a tangy taste, but you could swap it for goat cheese or cream cheese. Mozzarella adds creaminess, but cheddar works well too. Just pick a cheese you enjoy. Mixing cheeses can also create a great flavor blend. The pasta bake can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure it cools down first before you cover it. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to two months. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container. In this article, we explored the essential ingredients needed for the feta tomato pasta bake. I shared step-by-step instructions to make it perfectly. You learned tips to avoid common mistakes and ways to mix it up with variations. Storing advice ensures your leftovers stay fresh and tasty. Enjoy this dish knowing you can adapt it to suit your taste. Now, you have all the tools to make a delicious meal. Happy cooking!$

A delicious baked pasta dish featuring feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

300 g pasta (penne or rigatoni)
200 g feta cheese, diced
400 g cherry tomatoes, halved
1 piece red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
to taste salt and pepper
0.5 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
100 g grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper. Mix well until the tomatoes are evenly coated.
Add the cooked pasta to the tomato mixture and gently stir until everything is well combined.
Spread half of the pasta mixture evenly in a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the feta cheese on top.
Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the remaining feta cheese. Finally, evenly sprinkle the grated mozzarella over the entire dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
After removing from the oven, sprinkle the torn fresh basil on top to add a fresh touch.

Notes

Serve hot from the oven in individual bowls, garnished with extra fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil for a special touch.

Keyword bake, feta, pasta, vegetarian