Baked Feta Pasta Sun-dried Onion (Printable)
Tangy feta, sweet caramelised onions, and sun-dried tomatoes meld into a creamy Mediterranean pasta dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni
→ Cheese
02 - 7 oz block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, plus extra for serving
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Toss thoroughly.
03 - Place the block of feta in the center of the baking dish, nestling it among the tomatoes. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the cheese and season lightly with freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the feta softens with golden edges.
05 - Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until deeply caramelised and golden brown. Reserve.
06 - During onion caramelisation, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and drain.
07 - Once baking is complete, remove the dish from the oven. Add the caramelised onions and chopped basil to the baking dish. Stir thoroughly, breaking up the feta to form a creamy sauce.
08 - Add the cooked pasta to the dish, tossing to coat evenly with sauce. Mix in reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired consistency.
09 - Portion immediately and garnish with extra basil and a light drizzle of olive oil if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Deep, layered flavors from caramelised onions and sun-dried tomatoes
- Easy vegetarian main that's impressive and quick to prepare
02 -
- This recipe contains milk (feta cheese) and wheat (pasta)
- Use gluten-free pasta and check sun-dried tomatoes for cross-contamination if needed
03 -
- Add a handful of greens before serving for vibrant color and flavor
- Whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta works perfectly for dietary needs