Basil Tomato Feta Pasta: A Creamy, Cheesy Weeknight Favorite

Basil Tomato Feta Pasta: A Creamy, Cheesy Weeknight Favorite

Some nights call for a sensible dinner. Other nights call for a big bowl of creamy pasta coated in tomatoes, feta, basil, and plenty of delicious olive oil. This Basil Tomato Feta Pasta happily handles both.

Made with Garlic Olive Oil and Basil Olive Oil, this easy pasta dinner is rich, bright, savory, and just a little bit irresistible. It is the kind of meal that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “What smells so good?”

Juicy tomatoes and tangy feta create the creamy foundation for this Mediterranean-inspired pasta. Garlic Olive Oil adds a warm, savory flavor, while Basil Olive Oil brings a fresh herbal finish that pairs beautifully with tomatoes and cheese.

Toss everything with tender penne and fresh basil, and dinner suddenly feels a lot more exciting. No complicated techniques, no mountain of dishes, and no need to make a separate sauce on the stovetop.

Why You Will Love This Creamy Feta Pasta
  • It is creamy and comforting without relying on heavy cream.
  • Garlic and basil olive oils add layers of flavor with very little effort.
  • It is easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough for company.
  • You can serve it as a meatless main course or add your favorite protein.
  • Leftovers make a very convincing reason to look forward to lunch.
The Olive Oil Pairing That Makes It Special
  • Garlic Olive Oil gives the tomatoes and feta a savory base as they cook. It adds rich garlic flavor without any chopping, peeling, or tiny pieces of garlic sticking to your cutting board.
  • Basil Olive Oil is the fresh finishing touch. Stirred into the pasta near the end, it adds a fragrant basil flavor that makes the tomatoes taste sweeter and the feta taste even more delicious.

Enjoy!

Basil Tomato Feta Pasta with Garlic and Basil Olive Oils

The Little Shop of Olive Oils

Servings

4

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Calories

701

Cuisine

Italian-Inspired

Category

Main Courses

Tender penne is coated in a creamy sauce made with juicy tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, Garlic Olive Oil, and a splash of starchy pasta water. Basil Olive Oil and fresh basil add a bright herbal finish to this easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner.

Basil Tomato Feta Pasta with Garlic and Basil Olive Oils

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces penne pasta

  • 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes

  • 8 ounces block feta cheese

  • 3 tablespoons Garlic Olive Oil

  • 1 tablespoon Basil Olive Oil, plus more for serving

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

  • 1/2 to 1 cup reserved pasta water

  • Salt for the pasta water

  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  2. Place the cherry tomatoes in a medium baking dish. Position the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.

  3. Drizzle the tomatoes and feta with the Garlic Olive Oil. Sprinkle with the oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and beginning to burst and the feta is warm and creamy.

  5. While the tomatoes and feta are baking, cook the penne in generously salted water according to the package directions until al dente.

  6. Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

  7. Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the tomato paste, then carefully mash and stir the roasted tomatoes and feta together until a creamy sauce begins to form.

  8. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir until the sauce is smooth. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, if needed.

  9. Add the cooked penne to the baking dish and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.

  10. Stir in the Basil Olive Oil and fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

  11. Serve warm with an additional drizzle of Basil Olive Oil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

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