Baked Feta Pasta (TikTok Inspired Pasta)

I've had this recipe bookmarked to try for a long time- the infamous TikTok Feta Pasta. I think I'm over a year late, but whatever. This pasta combines some of my favorite flavors- feta, tomato, and pesto, with another love- pasta. (I'm not sure if pesto is included in the original recipe, but it's a lovely addition. If you don't have pesto, just make this recipe without-it'll still be wonderful). You'll need a block of feta for this, not the crumbled variety (I think it would dry out way too much). Combine with 12 oz of pasta (or less); a pound would render this recipe way too dry. A kitchen scale is handy to have for recipes like this, OR you might be lucky and find a 12 oz. box of pasta in the store, like I did. :) 

Baked Feta Pasta (TikTok Inspired) 

adapted from Carlsbad Cravings 

8-12 ounces medium dry pasta like gemilli, rotini, fusilli (I use 12 oz- it's plenty saucy this way, but if you want it even saucier, use less pasta)
2 pints cherry tomatoes, rinsed (20-25 ounces)
½ cup chopped sun dried tomatoes in oil (optional- I've never done this but want to next time)
¼ cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons olive oil + more for drizzling
½ tsp EACH dried oregano, dried parsley
¼ tsp EACH dried thyme, salt, pepper
1 7-8 oz. block feta (not crumbled)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 tablespoons chopped basil

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Add the tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes (if using), pesto, olive oil, oregano, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme and red pepper flakes. Stir all of the ingredients together until evenly coated.  Make room in the center of the dish and add the feta. Drizzle the top of the feta with olive oil.

2.  Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until the until the feta is soft/melty and tomatoes are bursting. Meanwhile, chop the garlic and basil and cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions (plan on adding the pasta to the boiling water 10 minutes before the feta and tomatoes are done). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later. Remove the dish from the oven and immediately add the garlic and basil and stir for 30 seconds so the residual heat can cook the garlic.

3.  Using a silicone spatula or large serving spoon, press down on the feta cheese to break it down and make it creamy; then stir everything together until completely combined to create the sauce. Add the pasta and toss to evenly coat with the sauce. For a creamier pasta (recommended), stir in desired amount of reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time until it reaches desired consistency.  Taste and season with additional salt if needed. 

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