Baked Feta Pasta has become a major viral trend across the globe and is being called the “TikTok pasta.” Watch the video tutorial and you’ll be amazed how the feta cheese turns into a creamy pasta sauce.

Feta and tomatoes in casserole dish for baked feta pasta

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We love easy pasta casseroles from Baked Ziti to Chicken Tetrazzini and of course Classic Lasagna. If you are a fan of pasta recipes, this Baked Feta Pasta is a must-try!

Baked Feta Pasta Video Tutorial:

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What is Feta Pasta?

Baked Feta pasta is a brilliant way to create pasta sauce. You bake a block of feta in a casserole dish together with tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a little salt and pepper. Once the tomatoes burst and cheese starts melting, you pull it out of the oven and mash the cheese into a creamy pasta sauce that melds with olive oil and juicy tomatoes.

This is our spin on this Baked Creamy Feta pasta with tomatoes and asparagus because my daughter loves the asparagus and my son swoons over those roasted tomatoes.

Feta Pasta Casserole

Origin of Feta Pasta

The Baked Feta pasta craze was started in 2019 by Tiiu Piret and Liemessa, two bloggers from Finland. Liemessa’s recipe was then adapted in the US by Grilled Cheese Social which went viral on TikTok and became a major trend. 

Ingredients for Baked Feta Pasta

  • Tomatoes – cherry or grape tomatoes work great.
  • Asparagus – we added it for more veggies but you can omit if desired.
  • Olive oil – an extra virgin olive oil has the best flavor.
  • Salt and pepper – a little goes a long way since the cheese is naturally salty.
  • Feta cheese – block-style feta is best and will give you the creamiest consistency. Greek or French Feta cheese is slightly creamier but USA Feta made from cow’s milk also works great.
  • Pasta – short pasta is easier to mix in (see our favorite varieties below).
  • Parsley – use a generous 1/4 cup or substitute with fresh chopped basil.
  • Garlic – Add half while baking and the rest as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Ingredients for baked pasta with feta and tomatoes

The Best Pasta to Use

We use short pasta for feta pasta because it is much easier to stir and combine with the cheesy sauce. Use only 8 to 10 oz or it will overwhelm the sauce. These are some of our favorite options:

  • Row 1: Penne, Rigatoni, Fusilli
  • Row 2: Gemelli, Trottole, Cavatapi
6 varieties of pasta in cups

Pasta Cooking Tip: The key to a great pasta casserole is to cook the pasta until it is al dente in salted water according to package instructions. Use at least a Tablespoon of salt in your boiling water.

How to Make Baked Feta Pasta

This recipe couldn’t get any easier. Your veggies and sauce bake together in the oven while your pasta boils on the stove, then you marry them together and you have an incredible baked Feta Pasta.

  1. Prepare veggies – in a 9×13 casserole dish, combine tomatoes, asparagus, 1/3 cup olive oil, half of your minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine and create a space in the center.
  2. Add Feta cheese – place an 8 oz block of feta cheese in the center and drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil and some black pepper. Bake at 400˚F for 30 minutes, until tomatoes start to burst.
  3. Cook pasta – about halfway through the baking time, start cooking your pasta in a pot of salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup hot pasta water.
  4. Add garlic and herbs – remove the finished casserole from the oven, add finely chopped parsley and remaining minced garlic and use the back of a spoon to mash the cheese into the oil and juices released from tomatoes.
  5. Add pasta – drain the pasta and add it to the hot cheesy sauce and toss to combine.
Baked feta and tomatoes in casserole dish

Pro Tip: To make the pasta creamier or saucier, add hot pasta water to reach desired consistency. If the water cools down, warm it up in the microwave until steaming hot.

Common Questions:

Can I add protein to feta pasta?

You can replace asparagus with chicken tenders. My sister made this with a pound of chicken tenders, roasting them in the same pan with the cheese and tomatoes.

Can I substitute the tomatoes?

I don’t recommend substituting tomatoes since their juice helps for the sauce. We haven’t found anything that works as well as tomatoes.

Can I use less oil?

The oil is important to forming the right saucy consistency. I would not recommend reducing the amount of olive oil.

Does feta pasta reheat well?

Yes! One of the things I love about feta pasta is that it reheats well. Unlike a heavy cream-based sauce which can separate, this one reheats creamy. Add a splash of pasta cooking water or filtered water to keep it moist when reheating in the microwave.

Feta Pasta Casserole with juicy tomatoes

This is one of the easiest ways to prepare a rich-tasting pasta. If you try baked feta pasta with your own spin on it, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Serve With

We love to serve Baked Feta Pasta as a main course paired with lean proteins and these simple sides:

Creamy Baked Feta Pasta

4.98 from 234 votes
Baked feta and tomatoes pasta
Feta Pasta with tomatoes and asparagus is a creamy and easy pasta casserole. Cook the pasta while the cheese and tomatoes bake for a quick dinner.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people
  • 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 8 oz asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil , plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle over cheese
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 8 oz block Feta Cheese
  • 10 oz penne pasta
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced, divided
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, or basil, finely minced

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400˚F. Add tomatoes and asparagus to a 9×13 casserole. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss to combine. Make a space in the center and place your 8 oz block of feta in the pan. Drizzle the top with 1 Tbsp olive oil and another sprinkle of black pepper. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes until tomatoes start to burst.
  • About halfway through your baking time, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook according to package instructions, stirring a few times to keep the pasta from sticking. Drain pasta (reserving some cooking water if you decide to add it later).
  • After 30 minutes, the tomatoes should burst and start to release their juice. Remove from the oven and immediately stir in remaining minced garlic and parsley and toss to combine. Use the back of a large spoon to press the cheese into the olive oil and stir until cheese is well dispersed in the dish.
  • Stir in drained cooked pasta. Add reserved pasta water if desired. Serve warm. Be mindful of those tomatoes (the juicy centers can be very hot if you eat them right away). Add reserved hot pasta water as desired for saucier pasta.

Nutrition Per Serving

411kcal Calories43g Carbs14g Protein21g Fat7g Saturated Fat34mg Cholesterol535mg Sodium446mg Potassium3g Fiber6g Sugar1143IU Vitamin A29mg Vitamin C224mg Calcium3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Baked Feta Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
411
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Cholesterol
 
34
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
535
mg
23
%
Potassium
 
446
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
43
g
14
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Protein
 
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
 
1143
IU
23
%
Vitamin C
 
29
mg
35
%
Calcium
 
224
mg
22
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Finnish
Keyword: baked feta pasta, feta pasta, tiktok pasta
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 411
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.98 from 234 votes (105 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Kathy Furci
    May 30, 2021

    I thought I had posted previously, but I can’t find it. This is the 4th time I am making this. It is absolutely yummy. My whole family loves it and there are never any leftovers for 3 people. I have added chicken and it is perfect. I have given your recipe to my friends who also love how easy it is to make not including how delicious it is. Thank you.
    Do you have a recipe for deep dish apple pie? I love your other recipes and videos.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 30, 2021

      Hi Kathy, that’s a great review and feedback. Thank you for sharing that with us! Here’s my Deep Dish Apple Pie recipe.

      Reply

  • Katharina
    May 30, 2021

    Used spinach instead of asparagus and added chicken, because I need a lot of protein, but my mom and I loved it! We halved the recipe and have some leftovers… I just can’t wait to eat it again tomorrow. 🙂

    Also when the cherry tomatoes have bursted towards the end it’s oddly satisfying to me haha. Just gives a really nice look to it all aesthetically, funny! ^^

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 30, 2021

      Hello Katharina, sounds perfect! I’m glad you loved this recipe, thank you so much for sharing your experience and great feedback with us.

      Reply

  • Sonja Ness
    May 29, 2021

    I loved the original dish, but found that asparagus was a bit overdone in 30 minutes. Might try adding asparagus separately. I have also made the dish with Boursin garlic and fine herbs cheese instead of feta and it was fantastic.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2021

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Sonja! I’ll have to try it with garlic and fine herbs cheese!

      Reply

  • Dave Van Voorhis
    May 29, 2021

    Cooked the feta pasta for the second time. Turned out good. I put in chicken in this time and I think I outdid myself! Thanks for the great recipe Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 29, 2021

      Yummy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Sandra Taylor
    May 27, 2021

    Tried the feta pasta recipe tonight. Omg it was amazingly good. Delicious. Thought I might add bell peppers next time I try it. Also my boyfriend said that shrimp or clams would be good as well.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 27, 2021

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Sandra!

      Reply

  • Jay
    May 25, 2021

    My vegetables were rather overcooked. Next time I’ll lower the oven temperature by 10% and shorten the oven time to twenty minutes. But otherwise, a perfect weekday meal.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      May 25, 2021

      Hi Jay, also be sure to bake on conventional oven settings and not convection.

      Reply

  • Lynn
    May 17, 2021

    I customized and added some kalamata olives and baked my al denete pasta so it got nice and crispy at the edges!
    Will make again for sure!!
    Thank you for this delicious recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 17, 2021

      Nice one! Thanks for sharing that with us, Lynn. I should try that next time.

      Reply

  • Dorothy
    May 17, 2021

    You mention substituting chicken for asparagus. How do you prepare the chicken? Do you pre cook the chicken? Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 17, 2021

      Hi Dorothy, we like to make it with either cubed chicken breast or chicken tenders since they are fairly thin, they bake in the same amount of time, but it’s always a good idea to test for doneness.

      Reply

  • Raquel Golfarini
    May 14, 2021

    DELICIOUS!!! I made it today for lunch and we all loved it. I think this is going to be a ‘regular’.
    Thanks so much for all your lovely recipes. Cheers!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 14, 2021

      Yay, fantastic! I’m really happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Raquel.

      Reply

  • Pat
    May 13, 2021

    Made this tonight and it was so yummy. Added a little Italian Seasoning and red pepper flakes. Definite keeper!! Thanks for a great recipe

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 13, 2021

      I’m so glad you found a new keeper, Pat! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 13, 2021

      You’re welcome, I’m happy that you loved it!

      Reply

  • RobJ
    May 13, 2021

    I made this according to the recipe and it turned out great. Everyone loved it and there were no leftovers.
    I am making it again with chicken and I expect not to have any leftovers.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 13, 2021

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Kim
    May 12, 2021

    My house smells amazing. This dish is currently in my oven. Oh my! The aroma of garlic alone is enough to make me “happy dance” all over my house! I subbed fresh spinach for asparagus since I had no asparagus and added red chili flakes because I like a little spice. Otherwise followed the recipe. I’m anxiously waiting for the oven timer to go off! Love your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 12, 2021

      I’m sure it will be awesome! Please update us on how it goes, I hope it becomes a hit!

      Reply

  • sandy selke
    May 10, 2021

    I made this mothers day because it was so easy. I am a mom. Family loved it

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 10, 2021

      Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles

      Reply

  • Suzi
    May 7, 2021

    I prepared this recipe, replaced parsley with dry italian herbs. It turned out to be tasty and super creamy! Love it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      May 7, 2021

      That’s awesome that it worked so well with dried Italian herbs. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • Christine
    May 6, 2021

    I made it with large roma tomatoes cut into sixths and half a pkg of frozen spinach (thawed) because I had no asparagus. Used macaroni. It worked really well and was delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 6, 2021

      That’s so great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Tom
    May 6, 2021

    This is one of the best vegetarian recipes you made. I have a question can I make this with mini penne because that is all I have.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 6, 2021

      Thank you so much for your kind words and good feedback, Tom. I think that would work well too!

      Reply

  • Farrah
    May 5, 2021

    LOVE LOVE Your cooking show. have tried multiple recipess they all are a keeper your cooking its easy and awsome BUT Creamy Baked Feta Pasta is my favorite.. thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 5, 2021

      You are very welcome, Farrah. Thank you for always watching my videos and I’m glad you’re enjoying them!

      Reply

  • Heather Hogan
    May 4, 2021

    I love how easy this recipe is and I tried to cut the amount of fat by using a fat free feta which I do not recommend doing. The fat free cheese did not melt as creamy versus full fat feta. I will try this again but will avoid the fat free cheese.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 4, 2021

      Hi Heather, I haven’t tried using fat-free yet so thank you for the heads up and for letting us know about it.

      Reply

  • Kylee
    May 3, 2021

    You gotta make this! My mom was making this for me and I was really skeptical, I didn’t know how I would feel about the asparagus or the tomatoes being cooked with pasta, but WOW! It was fantastic! Instead of the fresh herbs, we did add some pesto to the pasta but otherwise we did the recipe as written. Fantastic! I will be making this alot in the future!! Thanks Natasha for the great recipe!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Mary Campbell
    May 2, 2021

    I intend to try this recipe, it looks delicious. Do you think it would work with goat cheese?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2021

      Hi Mary, I have seen others use goat cheese as well.

      Reply

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