We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (2024)

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (1)

by

Kate Bennert

food trends

feta

pasta

creamy

dinner

easy

quick + easy

comfort food

cheese

5-ingredient

When we saw the creamy TikTok-famous Baked Feta Pasta recipe making its way around the internet, we had to try it ourselves — and we used the recipe that made it famous on TikTok in the first place, from Grilled Cheese Social. MacKenzie from Grilled Cheese Social first got the recipe idea from a Finnish food artist in 2019 and eventually decided she had to bring the trend to the States. (We're so glad she did!)

So what did our culinary team member Kate Bennert think? Is it really THAT good? YEP.

"My favorite part about this trendy recipe is that I didn’t have to do anything! I didn't have to chop anything; I didn't have to babysit anything on the stove, and I barely had to clean anything. (And let's be real, I just left the pan in the sink "to soak.") I didn't even have to get out a knife! Usually, I tend to avoid these things because — as a professional cook — I do believe good food does involve some work. But let me tell you, it sure is nice to have a day off from the work part and still be able to enjoy something homemade and delicious. This recipe does it for me." –Kate

Pro tip: Be sure to pay attention to what kind of feta you choose for this recipe. I used a feta packaged in brine (so that it didn't dry out too much in the oven) and I tasted it before I seasoned the rest of my ingredients so as not to end up with a way-too-salty dinner.

Can't get enough feta?Try Rach's Grilled Feta, Baked Feta with Hot Honey + Herbs orValerie Bertinelli's Spicy Feta Dip.

Without further ado, here's Grilled Cheese Social's Baked Feta Pasta recipe—republished with permission.

Here's everything you'll need:

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (2)

Rachael Ray Show

More TikTok-famous recipes:

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We Tried the TikTok 2-Ingredient Ice Cream Bread

Crispy Parmesan Cubes

TikTok Pasta Chips

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bowtie pasta
  • ½ cup olive oil, plus more for finishing
  • 2 boxes cherry tomatoes (around 20-25 ounces)
  • One 8-ounce block feta
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • A few pinches red pepper flakes
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and pepper

Yield

Serves: 4

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Add olive oil to a baking dish and toss with whole cherry tomatoes, salt and pepper until everything is coated.

Add the feta in the middle and top with a splash more of olive oil plus a few cranks of fresh pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (3)

Rachael Ray Show

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (4)

Rachael Ray Show

Meanwhile, prepare bowtie pasta according to directions then strain.

After the 30 minutes has passed, crank the heat up to 450 and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the feta and tomatoes have browned.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and add garlic and red pepper flakes and stir so the residual heat cooks the garlic and releases the flavors from the red pepper flakes.

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (5)

Rachael Ray Show

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (6)

Rachael Ray Show

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (7)

Rachael Ray Show

Toss in the pasta and stir one more time. Finish with fresh basil, another splash of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (8)

Rachael Ray Show

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (9)

Rachael Ray Show

We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (10)

Rachael Ray Show

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We Tried The TikTok Recipe For Baked Feta Pasta + We're SOLD (2024)

FAQs

How did baked feta pasta gain recognition? ›

Though Tiiu Piret posted a version of the dish on her blog in February 2018, fellow Finnish blogger Jenni Hayrinen is credited with making uunifetapasta (Finnish for “oven-baked feta pasta”) go viral in her country after posting her simplified version a year later.

How do you reheat feta cheese pasta? ›

Transfer any leftover baked feta pasta to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, use the microwave, or you can use the stovetop as well. Add the leftovers to a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth or water. Cook, tossing often, until heated through.

How do you tone down feta cheese? ›

Rinsing cheese under water may sound counterintuitive, but it's a surefire way to control the flavor of your feta. According to Olive Tomato, feta, at its best, is salty, rich, and tangy. While the cheese's flavor is undoubtedly distinct and part of its charm, you can have too much of a good thing.

How was feta cheese discovered? ›

The history of Feta cheese

Polyphemus was carrying the milk that he collected from his sheep in lambskins of animals, until one day he realized that the milk had curdled and had taken a solid form. The cheese that was prepared by Polyphemus is considered to be the ancestor of feta.

How did pasta become popular? ›

In the 14th and 15th centuries, dried pasta became popular for its easy storage. This allowed people to store pasta on ships when exploring the New World. A century later, pasta was present around the globe during the voyages of discovery.

How to make pasta salty? ›

How To Salt Water For Pasta. It is possible to add too much salt to your pasta water, and we generally follow this water salt ratio for pasta: add 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt to 4 quarts of water for every 1 pound of pasta. When boiling or blanching vegetables (like broccoli), add 1½ teaspoons per quart of water.

Why is my feta cheese so salty? ›

Feta cheese is typically a goat and/or sheep's milk cheese and uniquely flavored, partly to do with the fact that it sits in salt water for its natural life. This brine not only helps to preserve the moisture and stave off harmful bacteria, it also contributes to the flavor.

Is feta cheese a healthy fat? ›

Contains beneficial fatty acids

Feta cheese contains good amounts of a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Animal studies suggest this fatty acid appears to improve body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean mass. Cheese made from sheep's milk has higher levels of CLA.

Is it OK to melt feta cheese? ›

Texture: Since the curd is just lightly pressed together, Feta is very crumbly, and works beautifully as a topping to other dishes. When you put it in your mouth, however, high quality Feta will become quite creamy, not grainy. Cooking: Feta melts well, turning soft, not gooey, and maintains its flavor when heated.

Should you melt feta cheese? ›

While a blast of heat from your oven will not fully melt your feta cheese, it will transform it into a warm and luscious, creamy spread. Absolutely addictive!

What happens if you forget to put feta in the fridge? ›

As long as 4 hours but check for signs of spoilage after 2. Rewrap and refrigerate. As long as 4 hours but check for signs of spoilage after 2.

Why is my feta pasta not creamy? ›

Feta cheese. By law cow milk can't even get near feta in Greece, while feta produced in several other countries, including the U.S., is often made with cow milk. This creates an entirely different cheese that does not melt into a creamy sauce as well as sheep milk feta does.

Does feta melt when baked? ›

If you bake feta in the oven it will not melt. It will become warm and soft and left long enough it will begin to brown. Baking feta alo enhances its flavor.

Why is my feta cheese not melting in the oven? ›

Feta doesn't melt due to its low pH (~4.7).

What is the history of baked pasta? ›

Baked pasta can ideally be divided in two big categories: the version with béchamel was born in the Renaissance courts of the Center and North, as a poorer variant of meat pies, from which probably derive very famous dishes such as baked lasagna and Emilian cannelloni; the so-called pasta 'nfurnata or pasta 'ncasciata ...

Where did baked pasta originate? ›

A History of Baked Goodness

A pasta meal was an opportunity for a chef to show off his creativity and resourcefulness. Eventually baked pasta, or pasta al forno, was adopted all over Italy. Today, baked pasta is a staple dish of Southern Italy, where it's usually made on Sundays, holidays and special occasions.

What is the significance of feta in Greece? ›

Feta cheese has been a part of Greece for nearly as long as humanity itself. It derives from the very first cheese made around 8,000 years ago, which was made soon after people began domesticating animals. Historians believe that milk began to ferment while being transported in the stomach of a goat or sheep.

Why is feta cheese popular? ›

It's creamy, tangy, full-flavoured known best as a table cheese but its versatility and unique character has made it a cheese lovers' favourite. You can crumble feta on warm and cold salads but it is equally wonderful when sizzled and baked giving dishes a very special touch.

References

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