If you’ve ever been on social media, you have probably seen the viral tomato feta pasta bake. I really wanted to hate this trend because of all the “hype” surrounding it.... but I didn’t. I now make this dish every other week and my husband goes absolutely crazy for it. There is a bit of tang from the feta and the blistered tomatoes add a nice acidity. This dish is simple to make but oh, so delicious. 

You will need 

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

2 pt. cherry tomatoes

1 block feta cheese

½ cup olive oil 

½ box penne pasta

3 sprigs fresh thyme

3 cloves fresh garlic (smashed) or 2 shallots quartered

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Take a baking dish and place your cherry tomatoes in the dish with your feta in the center. Season with salt and pepper, optional pepper flakes, sprigs of thyme, garlic, and toss everything with olive oil. Bake for about 30-35 minutes uncovered until the tomatoes have burst. While they’re cooking, heat your pasta water and cook to al dente. Reserve a cup of the pasta water. Take your dish out of the oven and mash all the ingredients together (this mixture would be delicious on bread as well!). Next add your pasta and stir to combine. If you feel that it is too thick, add in a little starchy pasta water to thin the sauce. This would be great with some fresh spinach or cooked sausage mixed in as well!