Description

Jamie Oliver’s Roast Feta and Tomato Pasta is a simple baked pasta dish where cherry tomatoes and feta cheese are roasted together until soft and caramelized, then tossed with pasta and fresh herbs for a creamy, tangy, and rich meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Roasted Feta and Tomato Sauce:

The roasting process enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes while the feta melts into a creamy, tangy sauce.

- 250g cherry tomatoes

- 200g block of feta cheese

- 3 cloves garlic (minced)

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

- Salt and black pepper (to taste)

For the Pasta:

A good-quality pasta helps absorb the creamy roasted sauce for the best texture.

- 250g pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)

- Salt (for boiling water)

- 2 tablespoons pasta water (reserved)

For Garnish and Serving:

These final touches enhance the freshness and balance the flavors.

- Fresh basil or parsley (chopped)

- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

- Parmesan cheese (grated, optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

A well-seasoned baking dish allows the ingredients to roast evenly and develop rich flavors.

- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

- In a baking dish, place the cherry tomatoes and whole block of feta in the center.

- Drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.

- Scatter the minced garlic over the tomatoes.

Step 2: Roast the Feta and Tomatoes

Roasting intensifies the flavors and creates a beautifully creamy sauce.

- Place the baking dish in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta becomes soft and golden.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Cooking the pasta while the sauce roasts ensures the meal comes together quickly.

- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

- Reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water before draining.

Step 4: Mix the Pasta with the Roasted Feta and Tomatoes

Combining the hot pasta with the roasted feta creates a creamy, flavorful sauce.

- Remove the baking dish from the oven.

- Mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork, mixing them into a creamy sauce.

- Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring until well coated.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Fresh herbs and citrus balance the richness, making the dish even more delicious.

- Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley over the pasta.

- Add lemon zest for extra freshness.

- Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.