Frederic Melton
Feta cheese pasta, also known as TikTok pasta, is a viral dish that originated in Finland. The dish is made by baking feta cheese with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and seasonings, and then combining it with cooked pasta. The result is a salty, cheesy sauce that coats the pasta. While the dish is undoubtedly tasty, it can be high in calories, with one serving containing up to 460 calories. The calorie count can be reduced by making some modifications, such as using less olive oil, feta cheese, and pasta, and adding more vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 430-460 kcal per serving |
| Carbohydrates | 36g |
| Protein | 12g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g |
| Cholesterol | 34mg |
| Sodium | 548mg |
| Potassium | 460mg |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Calories per ingredient | Varies, see below |
| - Pasta (4 oz) | 400 kcal |
| - Olive Oil (0.5 tbsp) | 60 kcal |
| - Feta Cheese (0.07 cup) | 28 kcal |
| - Tomatoes | 13 kcal |
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What You'll Learn
- Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes is around 430-460 calories
- Calories can be reduced by substituting pasta with chickpea pasta or whole wheat pasta
- Using less olive oil can also reduce the calorie count
- Using ricotta or goat cheese instead of feta can be a tasty alternative
- Adding vegetables like broccoli and carrots can reduce calories and increase fibre
Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes is around 430-460 calories
Baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes is a simple, tasty dish that can be made with a handful of ingredients. The calorie count for this dish is around 430-460 calories per serving. The calorie count can vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used, as well as any additional vegetables or sides.
The dish typically includes feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, pasta, and seasonings such as garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. The feta cheese and cherry tomatoes are baked in the oven, creating a salty and cheesy sauce that is then combined with the cooked pasta.
The calorie breakdown of the dish includes carbohydrates, protein, fat, and a small amount of fibre. The feta cheese contributes to the fat content, with olive oil also playing a role. The cherry tomatoes provide vitamins and flavour, while the pasta is the main source of carbohydrates.
To reduce the calorie count, some people choose to use less olive oil, feta cheese, and pasta. Additionally, substituting regular pasta for chickpea or whole wheat pasta can also lower the calorie content. Including extra vegetables, such as steamed broccoli, carrots, courgette, or aubergine, is another way to make the dish more nutritious and lower in calories.
Overall, baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes is a delicious and relatively simple dish to prepare. By making a few adjustments to the recipe, it is possible to create a more nutritious and lower-calorie version while still enjoying the creamy, cheesy goodness of the original.
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Calories can be reduced by substituting pasta with chickpea pasta or whole wheat pasta
Feta cheese pasta is a delicious dish that combines the salty and creamy flavours of feta cheese with pasta and cherry tomatoes. However, it can be a calorie-dense dish due to the cheese and pasta. A serving of baked feta cheese pasta typically contains around 430 to 460 calories.
To reduce the calorie content of this dish, one effective strategy is to substitute regular pasta with chickpea pasta or whole wheat pasta. These alternatives offer a higher nutritional value and can help decrease the overall calorie intake. Chickpea pasta, for instance, is made from chickpea flour and is a good source of plant-based protein and fibre, which can promote a feeling of fullness and improve digestion. Similarly, whole wheat pasta is richer in fibre and essential nutrients than regular pasta, leading to improved nutritional value and slower digestion, which can aid in weight management.
In addition to substituting the pasta, reducing the amount of olive oil used in the dish can further decrease the calorie count. Instead of using the typically recommended 1/2 cup of olive oil, you can decrease it to 1/3 cup without compromising the taste. This simple adjustment can reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the dish.
Moreover, bulking up the dish with extra vegetables is another effective way to cut down on calories. By adding steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, or roasted vegetables like courgettes, aubergine, peppers, and onions, you can increase the volume of the meal while also boosting its nutritional value. These vegetables contribute to your daily intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre, making the dish more satisfying and nutritious.
Lastly, while feta cheese is a key ingredient in this dish, slightly reducing the amount used can also lower the calorie count. Instead of using a full block of feta cheese, opt for 6 ounces, which will still provide a generous amount of cheesy flavour while reducing the overall calorie intake.
In summary, by substituting regular pasta with chickpea pasta or whole wheat pasta, reducing the amount of olive oil and feta cheese, and adding extra vegetables, you can effectively decrease the calorie content of feta cheese pasta while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Using less olive oil can also reduce the calorie count
A dietitian has suggested that decreasing the amount of olive oil used in the feta pasta recipe can help to reduce the overall calorie count. The original recipe calls for 1/4 or 1/2 cup of olive oil, but the dietitian recommends reducing this to 1/3 cup. Olive oil is a major source of fat in the dish, contributing to its high-calorie content.
The dish typically includes other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, pasta, salt, pepper, garlic, and basil. The feta cheese and pasta also contribute significantly to the calorie count. One serving of baked feta pasta is approximately 457 calories, with 41% carbs, 44% fat, and 16% protein.
By reducing the amount of olive oil, feta cheese, and pasta, the calorie count can be lowered. For example, the dietitian suggests decreasing the amount of feta cheese to 6 ounces and the pasta to 8 ounces. Additionally, substituting regular pasta with chickpea or whole wheat pasta can further reduce calories.
Another strategy to reduce the calorie count is to bulk up the dish with extra vegetables. This not only adds volume but also increases the nutritional value. Some suggested vegetables include steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, courgette, aubergine, peppers, red onion, and mushrooms. These additions can help to make the dish more filling while also contributing to a well-rounded and healthier meal.
In summary, by making conscious adjustments to the recipe, such as reducing the olive oil content and incorporating more vegetables, individuals can create a more nutritious and lower-calorie version of the popular feta pasta dish.
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Using ricotta or goat cheese instead of feta can be a tasty alternative
Baked feta pasta is a simple and delicious dish that became popular on TikTok. The recipe involves baking a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes to create a salty and cheesy sauce for pasta. The dish typically contains around 430-457 calories per serving.
If you're looking for an alternative to feta cheese in this recipe, you could consider using ricotta or goat cheese. Both of these cheeses can create a creamy texture and work well as substitutes in baked pasta dishes.
Ricotta is a mild and creamy cheese that can be used as a substitute for goat cheese in many dishes. To use ricotta as a replacement for feta in the baked pasta recipe, you may want to add a pinch of salt to enhance its flavour and match the saltiness of feta. High-quality, full-fat ricotta is recommended for the best results.
Goat cheese, also known as "chevre" in French, has a complex flavour profile and a creamy, spreadable consistency. It is made from goat's milk and has a tangy flavour similar to feta. When substituting goat cheese for feta in the baked pasta, keep in mind that feta is saltier, so you may want to use slightly less goat cheese to maintain a balanced flavour profile.
In addition to ricotta and goat cheese, there are other alternatives to feta cheese worth considering. These include other crumbly cheeses like Wensleydale, Cheshire, or Caerphilly, or even a vegan feta cheese, which can provide a similar crumbly texture and tangy flavour.
By experimenting with different cheeses, you can create tasty variations of the viral baked feta pasta dish while adding your own unique twist to the recipe.
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Adding vegetables like broccoli and carrots can reduce calories and increase fibre
Baked feta pasta is a delicious dish that combines feta cheese, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and pasta. While it is a tasty treat, it can be heavy on the pasta and calories. A serving of baked feta pasta contains around 430 to 460 calories, with the calorie count varying based on the specific recipe and ingredients used.
To reduce the calorie count and increase the nutritional value of this dish, consider adding vegetables like broccoli and carrots. Broccoli is a great source of fibre and has a low-calorie count. By steaming or roasting broccoli and adding it to the pasta, you can increase the volume of your meal without significantly increasing the calories. Carrots, shredded or chopped, also add fibre and essential vitamins like Vitamin A.
When modifying the recipe, you can reduce the amount of pasta and olive oil used. For example, you can decrease the olive oil from half a cup to a third of a cup, and the pasta from 8 ounces to 4 ounces. This simple adjustment will reduce the overall calories and increase the proportion of vegetables in the dish.
Additionally, you can experiment with substituting regular pasta for chickpea or whole wheat pasta, which will further reduce the calorie count and increase the protein and fibre content. These substitutions will not compromise on taste, as the dish will still be packed with flavour from the feta cheese, tomatoes, and seasoning.
By making these adjustments and adding vegetables like broccoli and carrots, you can create a more balanced and nutritious meal without sacrificing the indulgent experience of baked feta pasta.
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Frequently asked questions
The number of calories in feta cheese pasta depends on the ingredients and their quantities. One recipe for baked feta cheese pasta with cherry tomatoes contains 457 calories per serving. Another recipe for penne with tomato and feta contains 400 calories of pasta per serving, 60 calories of olive oil, 28 calories of feta cheese, 13 calories of tomato, and 2 calories of garlic. A pre-packaged meal of tomato and feta pasta contains 154 calories per 100 grams.
To reduce the number of calories in feta cheese pasta, you can decrease the amount of olive oil, feta cheese, and pasta. You can also substitute regular pasta for chickpea pasta or whole wheat pasta and add more vegetables, such as steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, courgette, aubergine, peppers, red onion, or mushrooms.
Yes, in addition to reducing the amount of high-calorie ingredients and adding more vegetables, you can also use low-calorie pasta or substitute the pasta for another type of noodle or base, such as steamed broccoli or smashed toast.
