Introduction
This is the viral TikTok recipe that truly broke the internet, and for good reason! It’s one of the most brilliant “low-effort, high-reward” meals I’ve ever made. You just toss a few things in a baking dish, and the oven does all the work, creating a creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious pasta sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Insanely Easy: You barely have to do any active cooking.
- One-Dish Sauce: The “sauce” is made entirely in the baking dish.
- Creamy & Tangy: The baked feta melts into a rich, savory sauce that’s balanced by the sweet burst tomatoes.
- A Certified Viral Hit: It’s fun to make the recipe everyone was talking about.
- Customizable: Easy to add spinach, basil, or chili flakes.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) block of high-quality feta cheese
- 2 pints (4 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or any short shape)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the entire block of feta cheese in the center of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange the cherry tomatoes all around the feta block.
- Drizzle the olive oil all over the tomatoes and feta. Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss the tomatoes to coat.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- While the feta is baking, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before you drain.
- After 30 minutes, add the minced garlic to the baking dish and toss with the tomatoes.
- Bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the feta is soft and golden, and the tomatoes have burst.
- Remove the dish from the oven. Immediately, use the back of a spoon to smash the feta and burst tomatoes. Stir vigorously until it all comes together into a creamy, vibrant sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta directly to the baking dish, along with the chopped basil and a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir until every piece of pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Serve immediately.
Tips
Use a block of feta that is in brine for the best, creamiest result. The pre-crumbled, dry feta will not melt properly and will become grainy.