You’re about to discover the viral pasta sensation that broke the internet and continues to win hearts worldwide! This incredibly simple yet luxurious dish transforms humble cherry tomatoes and a block of feta into a creamy, tangy sauce that perfectly coats your favorite pasta. While countless home cooks have embraced this recipe through social media, its authentic roots and chef-approved techniques offer so much more than what you’ve seen online.
Key Takeaways
- Bake a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes at 400°F for 35 minutes until golden and tomatoes burst.
- This viral TikTok recipe originated in Finland and caused a feta cheese shortage due to its massive popularity.
- Combine the baked feta-tomato mixture with al dente pasta, using reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
- Use high-quality feta cheese and ripe cherry tomatoes as these ingredients significantly impact the final taste.
- The recipe requires minimal effort but delivers restaurant-worthy results, perfect for both weeknight dinners and entertaining guests.
History
While many assume this viral recipe originated on TikTok in 2021, it actually traces back to Finnish food blogger Jenni Häyrinen, who created “UuniFetaPasta” (Finnish for “oven-baked feta pasta”) in 2019.
Her original post sparked a feta cheese shortage in Finland as home cooks rushed to try this innovative dish!
You’ll be amazed to learn that the recipe gained even more momentum during the pandemic when TikTok user MacKenzie Smith shared her version, catapulting it to international fame.
The hashtag #fetapasta has since generated billions of views worldwide. This simple yet ingenious combination of baked feta, cherry tomatoes, and pasta captured the hearts of both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices.
It’s become one of social media’s most successful recipe sensations, proving that sometimes the most straightforward dishes make the biggest impact.
Recipe
This viral pasta sensation combines the rich, tangy flavors of baked feta cheese with burst cherry tomatoes to create a luxuriously creamy sauce that perfectly coats your favorite pasta. The dish gained massive popularity on social media for good reason – it delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and just a handful of ingredients.
The magic happens in the oven, where the feta slowly melts and transforms while the tomatoes caramelize and release their sweet juices. When combined, these elements create a velvety sauce that clings to every bite, delivering Mediterranean flavors in each forkful.
- 8 ounces block feta cheese
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 pound pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, whole
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the block of feta in the center of a baking dish and surround it with cherry tomatoes and whole garlic cloves. Drizzle everything with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Once the feta mixture is done, mash everything together with a fork until creamy, then add the cooked pasta and stir until well combined. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
For the best texture, reserve a cup of pasta water before draining and add it gradually if the sauce needs thinning. Choose authentic Greek sheep’s milk feta for optimal melting and avoid moving the dish while baking to prevent the feta from breaking apart.
The dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the sauce may need to be loosened with a splash of water when reheating.
Cooking Steps
You’ll start this crowd-pleasing pasta by preheating your oven to 400°F and arranging the feta block in the center of a baking dish, surrounded by vibrant cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves.
While the feta bakes until golden and the tomatoes burst with flavor (about 35 minutes), you’ll cook your pasta until it’s perfectly al dente.
Once everything’s ready, you’ll combine the creamy feta mixture with your hot pasta, giving it a good stir to create an irresistible sauce that clings to every bite!
Step 1. Preheat to 400 Degrees
Before diving into the magic of this Mediterranean pasta, getting your oven properly preheated to 400°F (200°C) is essential for achieving that perfect golden-brown feta and those beautifully burst tomatoes!
While your oven’s heating up, you’ll want to position your rack in the middle position – this ensures even heat distribution throughout your baking dish.
Don’t rush this step! A properly preheated oven typically takes 10-15 minutes to reach the right temperature. Even if your oven signals it’s ready sooner, give it a few extra minutes to ensure it’s thoroughly heated.
The 400°F sweet spot is crucial because it’s hot enough to caramelize your tomatoes and melt your feta to creamy perfection, but not so hot that they’ll burn before they’re done!
Step 2. Arrange Feta and Tomatoes
Once your oven reaches temperature, placing the ingredients correctly creates the foundation for this delicious dish!
In a large baking dish, position your block of feta cheese right in the center – this will be the creamy heart of your sauce.
Arrange the cherry tomatoes all around the feta, creating a colorful sea of red. You’ll want them to be in a single layer so they can roast evenly.
Nestle the whole garlic cloves among the tomatoes, spacing them out for even flavor distribution.
Finally, drizzle everything generously with olive oil, making sure to coat all the tomatoes and the feta block completely. The oil helps everything roast beautifully and prevents sticking to the baking dish.
Your ingredients are now perfectly positioned for their transformative journey in the oven!
Step 3. Cook Pasta Until Al Dente
While your feta and tomatoes transform in the oven, it’s time to tackle the pasta! Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
Add your pound of pasta to the boiling water and stir immediately to prevent sticking. Keep an eye on the package directions, but start testing for doneness about 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time.
You’re looking for that perfect al dente texture – tender but still firm to the bite! Give a piece of pasta a taste test; when it’s ready, it should have just a hint of resistance when you bite into it.
Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water – you might need it to adjust your sauce’s consistency later.
Drain the pasta in a colander but don’t rinse it!
Step 4. Bake Until Golden Brown
The magical transformation in your oven takes about 35 minutes at 400°F!
Watch as the cherry tomatoes slowly collapse and caramelize, while the feta cheese transforms from firm to irresistibly creamy. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes have burst open and the feta turns a light golden brown on top.
Keep an eye on the garlic cloves – they should be soft and fragrant, not burnt. If the feta starts browning too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with foil.
You’ll notice the tomatoes releasing their juices, creating a flavorful pool around the cheese. Don’t worry if some tomatoes char slightly on top – these add delicious caramelized notes to your final sauce!
The finished dish should show beautifully blistered tomatoes and a perfectly melted, golden-topped feta.
Step 5. Mix and Serve Immediately
Bringing your baked feta masterpiece together requires just three simple steps!
First, remove your bubbling baking dish from the oven and gently mash the softened feta with a fork, creating a creamy base. Watch as the burst tomatoes and roasted garlic blend seamlessly into the cheese, forming a luscious sauce.
Next, add your hot, perfectly cooked pasta directly to the baking dish – it’ll drink up all those amazing flavors!
Finally, stir everything together until each pasta strand is thoroughly coated with the creamy tomato-feta mixture.
Don’t forget – if your sauce needs loosening, add a splash of that reserved pasta water you saved. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce clings beautifully to the pasta.
Serve immediately while it’s still hot and at its creamiest consistency!
Final Thoughts
Despite its humble ingredient list, this viral pasta dish delivers restaurant-worthy results that’ll impress your family and friends every time!
The combination of melted feta, sweet burst tomatoes, and perfectly al dente pasta creates a memorable meal that’s both elegant and comforting.
You’ll love how this recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly special – and with minimal effort on your part! The oven does the heavy lifting while you’re free to prepare a quick salad or set the table.
Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to recipe for both casual weeknight dinners and dinner parties.
Remember, quality ingredients make all the difference here, so splurge on good feta and ripe tomatoes when possible.
It’s a foolproof dish that proves great cooking doesn’t need to be complicated!
