Baked Feta Pasta

Willy C (Year 0), Chief Contributor

Taken from Delish.Com

Ingredients

  • 2 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 shallot, quartered
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 (8-oz.) block feta
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 10 oz. pasta
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 200°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and all but 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.

Step 2
Place feta into the center of the tomato mixture and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over tomatoes. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top.

Step 3
Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.

Step 4
To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) and stir until combined. Garnish with basil.