Name: Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 8-12 ounces medium pasta like gemelli, rotini, fusilli; 2 pints cherry tomatoes (20-25 ounces); ½ cup chopped sun dried tomatoes in oil (optional); ¼ cup basil pesto; 2 tablespoons olive oil + more for drizzling; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried parsley; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 block (7-8 ounces) feta cheese in brine, preferably French feta made from 100% sheep's milk; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Nothing beats the cozy, warm feeling of a creamy pasta dish fresh from the oven. This Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe bursts with juicy, roasted tomatoes and that irresistibly tangy feta melted into a luscious sauce. It’s an effortless weeknight winner that feels special every time.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy pasta bake. The pasta is twisted, lightly golden in color, and mixed with pieces of sun-dried tomatoes and green herbs, mainly fresh basil leaves scattered on top. The texture looks soft and creamy with small bits of herbs and tomato adding color contrast. A silver serving spoon is slightly dipped into the dish from the right side. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a few fresh basil leaves scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t get enough of how this Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe transforms just a few simple ingredients into something effortlessly delicious. It’s the perfect combo of creamy, tangy, and sweet with practically no fuss.

Simple ingredients: You probably have most of them in your pantry already, making it perfect for last-minute dinners.
No stovetop sauce required: Roasting the tomatoes and feta together creates this flavorful, silky sauce right in the oven.
Customizable: You can add veggies, swap cheeses, or make it gluten-free with ease.
Comfort food with a fresh twist: The burst of roasted cherry tomatoes paired with creamy feta hits all the right notes.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with cooked short twisted pasta mixed with a red sauce and small pieces of tomato. The pasta is coated well in the sauce and sprinkled with green chopped fresh basil leaves scattered on top. A silver spoon is partially dipped into the pasta on the right side of the dish. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe has a key role. Sweet cherry tomatoes bursting with juices balance the salty feta, while the herbs and garlic add layers of flavor. Using the right feta and pasta shape makes all the difference—I’ll break down my favorites below.

Flat lay of medium-sized twisted fusilli pasta, a cluster of ripe red cherry tomatoes on the vine, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding vibrant green basil pesto, a smooth block of creamy white feta cheese, two whole uncracked brown eggs, two peeled garlic cloves, fresh basil sprigs with bright green leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, and small white ceramic bowls containing dried oregano, dried parsley, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Medium pasta (like gemelli, rotini, fusilli): The shape holds onto the sauce well, giving you a great bite every time.
Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness intensifies when roasted, creating the perfect juicy burst.
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil (optional): Adds a bit of umami depth and chewy texture; only if you’re a fan!
Basil pesto: Infuses a fresh herbal aroma and a little richness that tightens the flavors together.
Olive oil: Enhances the roasting process and adds that silky mouthfeel to the sauce.
Dried oregano, parsley, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper: Classic Italian herbs and spice that build a wonderful flavor base.
Block feta cheese, preferably French or sheep’s milk: This is crucial—young, creamy feta melts beautifully without drying out.
Garlic and fresh chopped basil: Added at the end to brighten the dish and give it a fresh, fragrant lift.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love throwing in a handful of sun-dried tomatoes or swapping in burrata for an extra creamy touch. Feel free to play around—this baked feta pasta is forgiving and welcomes your personal spin.

Variation: I once added sautéed spinach and grilled chicken to bulk it up for an easy dinner that doubled as tasty leftovers the next day.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and prep the tomatoes and feta

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. In a baking dish, toss the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes if using, pesto, olive oil, and all your dried herbs and spices. Give everything a good stir so the tomatoes are well coated. Make a little space in the middle and nestle in the block of feta, drizzling extra olive oil on top. It’s like the centerpiece of this dish, so treat it well!

Step 2: Bake until melty and bursting

Pop the dish in the oven uncovered for about 35 minutes. You want the tomatoes to be burst and juicy, and the feta to be soft and creamy—not dried out or crumbly. It fills your kitchen with the most incredible aroma—trust me, that’s when you know it’s almost ready.

Step 3: Cook the pasta and prep fresh flavors

While the feta and tomatoes are roasting, bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook your pasta according to package instructions. I usually add pasta to the water about 10 minutes before the baking finishes so everything’s ready together. Don’t forget to save a cup of the pasta water before draining—that magic starchy water will help create a silky sauce!

Step 4: Add garlic, basil, and combine

As soon as you remove your dish from the oven, stir in minced garlic and chopped fresh basil — the residual heat gently cooks the garlic just enough to mellow its bite without losing brightness. Then, press down on the block of feta with a spatula to break it up, and stir everything into a creamy sauce that clings to every piece of pasta.

Step 5: Toss pasta and adjust consistency

Add your drained pasta to the sauce and toss well. Gradually pour in reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you get that perfectly creamy texture you crave. I like about half a cup for an ultra-smooth coating, but adjust to your preference. Taste and tweak with more salt, pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to hit your ideal flavor balance.

Top Tip

Through many tries, I’ve learned that choosing the right type of feta and saving pasta water are game-changers for this Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe. These small steps take the dish from good to unforgettable.

Feta choice: Use a creamy, brined sheep’s milk feta—French or Israeli brands are fantastic—for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Don’t rinse sun-dried tomatoes: Just chop and add them with their oil for extra flavor and richness.
Save pasta water: It’s liquid gold. It smooths the sauce perfectly without thinning out flavor.
Press down on feta: Breaking up the block right in the pan makes your sauce luxuriously creamy with minimal effort.

How to Serve Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish with an extra sprinkle of fresh basil and an optional drizzle of good-quality olive oil for that glossy, appealing look. Sometimes I add a few toasted pine nuts or a pinch of chili flakes if I’m feeling adventurous.

Side Dishes

For something light, a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs wonderfully. If you want something heartier, roasted vegetables or garlic bread complement the creamy tomato flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving this in a rustic ceramic baking dish right from the oven, surrounded by little bowls of more fresh basil, chili flakes, and grated Parmesan so guests can customize their plates. It’s cozy and inviting—perfect for sharing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. This pasta keeps amazingly well for up to five days, which means you get delicious meals ready to go without any extra cooking on busy days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers a couple times with decent results. The texture changes slightly—the sauce firms up—but reheated gently, it’s still a tasty option if you want to save time later.

Reheating

To reheat, I add a splash of milk or olive oil and warm gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring often to restore creaminess. This prevents the pasta from drying out and keeps that rich, comforting feel intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cheese instead of feta?

Absolutely! If feta is too tangy for your taste, you can swap half or all of it with cream cheese, ricotta, burrata, or goat cheese to achieve a different creamy texture and milder flavor.

What pasta works best for Baked Feta Pasta?

Medium-shaped pastas like gemelli, fusilli, rotini, and casarecce are ideal because they capture the sauce beautifully. That said, you can use almost any pasta you like, from penne to farfalle, or even gluten-free alternatives.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

The sauce itself is gluten-free! To keep the whole dish gluten-free, just swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta (I recommend Tinkyada brand), or get creative with sweet potato noodles, zucchini noodles, or even serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Can I add vegetables or protein to this dish?

Definitely! This baked feta pasta is super flexible. You can stir in sautéed spinach, roasted bell peppers, olives, grilled chicken, or shrimp to make it a heartier meal or tailor it to your preferences.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Feta Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation. It’s surprisingly simple but feels like a treat every time—comforting yet fresh with bright tomato bursts and that luscious feta creaminess. Give it a try; I promise it becomes a fast favorite for you and yours, too.