Delicious Pairings For Feta Cheese Pasta: A Foodie's Guide

Feta cheese pasta is a simple, tasty, and versatile dish that can be made in a variety of ways. The basic recipe involves baking feta cheese with cherry tomatoes to create a salty and cheesy sauce, which is then mixed with pasta. This dish can be made on a stovetop or baked in an oven, and it pairs well with a variety of ingredients like spinach, garlic, basil, and olive oil. The type of pasta used can also be varied according to preference, and the dish can be served as a vegetarian meal or accompanied by grilled meats, rotisserie chicken, salmon, or shrimp.

Feta cheese pasta with roasted tomatoes and spinach

Ingredients:

• Feta cheese
• Cherry tomatoes
• Spinach
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic
• Basil
• Pasta of your choice

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the cherry tomatoes, spinach, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a baking dish and toss to combine. Add the feta cheese block to the centre of the dish and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the feta is melty and the tomatoes are roasted.

While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Once the feta and tomatoes are done, remove the dish from the oven and add the garlic and basil. Stir everything together until the garlic softens and the feta and tomatoes form a sauce.

Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Serve immediately with extra basil and enjoy!

Tips:

• Use fresh ingredients for the best flavour.
• You can use any type of pasta you like, but short tubular pasta like macaroni or cavatappi works well.
• If you want a saucier dish, add more tomatoes.
• You can also add other vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, or bell peppers.
• For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.

Baked feta pasta with olive oil and chilli flakes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (226 grams) of pasta (cavatappi, macaroni, spaghetti, or any pasta of your choice)
• 2 pints (4 cups or 946 ml) of cherry tomatoes
• 8 ounces (226 grams) of feta cheese (a block of feta is preferable, but crumbled feta will also work)
• 1/2 cup (118 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil, packed and chopped, plus more for serving
• A pinch of dried chilli flakes

Optional Ingredients:

• Shallots or red onions
• Lemon zest
• Thyme or oregano
• Parsley
• Asparagus
• Meat or vegetarian sausages
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Zucchini
• Other types of cheese, such as goat cheese or ricotta

Utensils

• Baking dish
• Pot for boiling pasta

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes in the baking dish and toss to combine.
• Add the block of feta cheese to the centre of the baking dish. You can flip it a couple of times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning, or simply add a touch more olive oil and some black pepper.
• Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes burst and the feta cheese softens and becomes creamy.
• While the tomatoes and feta are baking, cook the pasta in a pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup (118 ml) of the cooking liquid in case you need to add more sauce to your dish.
• Once the tomatoes and feta are done, remove them from the oven and add the garlic and basil. Toss everything together.
• Transfer the cooked pasta to the baking dish and mix well.
• Garnish with additional fresh basil and serve warm.

Tips:

• For a saucier dish, crowd the baking dish with cherry tomatoes.
• If you prefer your tomatoes dry-roasted, place them in a single layer in the baking dish.
• If you want to blister the tomatoes, you can set the oven to broil for the last 2 minutes or increase the temperature to 450°F (230°C) during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
• This dish can also be cooked on a stovetop over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.
• If you prefer a less salty dish, reduce the amount of salt or omit it altogether.
• You can also add other vegetables or proteins, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or sausages, to the dish for a heartier meal.

Feta cheese pasta with shrimp

Ingredients

• Shrimp
• Feta cheese
• Pasta
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Basil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oregano
• White wine

Method

Firstly, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving some of the pasta water if needed.

Next, heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, and white wine to the skillet and cook until the shrimp is pink. Remove the shrimp and set aside.

In the same skillet, cook the tomatoes, garlic, and herbs (oregano, basil, and/or thyme) in olive oil until tender. You can also add in some red pepper flakes for spice.

Now, add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet and toss with the tomato sauce. Crumble in the feta cheese and mix well. The feta will melt slightly and create a creamy sauce.

Finally, serve the pasta garnished with fresh basil.

Tips and Variations

• This dish is very versatile and you can add or substitute ingredients as you like. For example, you can add shallots, lemon zest, or extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese. Goat cheese or brie would work well instead of feta.
• If the pasta seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to create a smoother and creamier sauce.
• This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner and can be doubled to feed a larger crowd.
• For a complete meal, serve the pasta with a simple side salad, crusty bread, or sauteed snap peas.

Feta cheese pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and olives

Ingredients

• Pasta of your choice
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Olives
• Feta cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic
• Basil
• Lemon zest (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• In a large baking dish, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes, and toss to combine.
• Place a block of feta cheese in the centre of the baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden and softened.
• Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining.
• Remove the baking dish from the oven and add the cooked pasta, along with a little of the reserved pasta water if needed. Toss to combine.
• Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

• For a more intense flavour, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
• If you don't have access to sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute them with roasted red peppers, roasted grape tomatoes, or fresh cherry tomatoes.
• Kalamata olives work particularly well in this dish, but you can use green olives or omit them altogether if you prefer.
• For extra sharpness, add some crumbled feta cheese on top of the dish just before serving.
• If you want to add some spice to the dish, include a few pinches of red pepper flakes when warming the olive oil.
• To make the dish more filling, consider adding some protein such as cooked chicken or shrimp.

Feta cheese pasta with zucchini

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Feta cheese
• Olive oil
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Parsley or basil
• Salt and pepper
• Pasta of your choice

Method:

First, wash and cut the zucchini into oblong pieces. Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the crushed garlic. Sauté the garlic for a minute and then add the zucchini to the pan. Cook the zucchini for 4-5 minutes and then add pasta water, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and feta cheese.

In a separate pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the frying pan with the zucchini and feta. Mix everything together and season with salt and pepper.

Finally, serve the pasta on deep plates and garnish with fresh parsley or basil.

Tips and Variations:

• For a more substantial dish, you can add other vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, or bell peppers.
• For extra flavor, try adding herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary.
• If you want a more traditional Italian taste, you can substitute the feta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
• To make it a more filling meal, serve the pasta with a simple side salad or homemade breadsticks.

Frequently asked questions