BAKED FETA PASTA — TikTok Viral Recipe That’s Easy & Delicious
I first fell in love with baked feta pasta on a rainy weeknight when I needed something comforting, fast, and satisfying. A friend had raved about the TikTok version — just tomatoes, a block of feta, olive oil, and pasta — and I was skeptical that something so simple could taste so soulful. One bite changed my mind: the roasted tomatoes burst into sweet, savory sauce and the warm feta melted into a creamy, tangy coating that clung to every forkful. It’s become my go-to recipe when friends drop by, when I want to impress without stress, or when I crave a little Mediterranean sunshine in a bowl.
This dish also has an interesting modern-food-culture backstory: it surged to fame via TikTok in 2021 as a viral, pantry-friendly recipe that celebrates rustic Mediterranean flavors. While it’s not an ancient traditional dish, it’s inspired by the region’s love of baked cheeses, olive oil, and fresh herbs — and it’s a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create something memorable.
Who is this recipe for?
- This recipe is perfect for busy parents, quick-dinner seekers, college students, and home cooks who want an impressive, low-effort meal. It’s beginner-friendly and scales easily for more people.
Core ingredient overview:
- This simple, flavorful dish combines 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes, an 8-oz brick of feta cheese, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, fresh basil, and cooked bow tie pasta to create a creamy, tangy tomato sauce in under an hour.
Tools & Ingredients
Tools (you’ll need)
- Oven (preheated to 350°F)
- Medium-sized baking dish (9×13 or similar)
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander (for draining pasta)
- Tongs or pasta fork (for tossing)
Ingredients (with a short benefit for each)
- 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes, washed and dried – add natural sweetness and juicy bursts of flavor
- 1 – 8 oz brick of Feta cheese – provides tangy creaminess and a rich, savory base
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – offers a balanced blend of herbs for depth
- ½ teaspoon salt – enhances and balances flavors
- 5 tablespoons olive oil – helps roast the tomatoes and creates a silky sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil – adds bright, fresh herbal notes and color
- 12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked, drained, and kept warm – provides the hearty vehicle for the sauce and soaks up flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the 2 ½ cups of washed and dried grape tomatoes to a medium-sized baking dish, spreading them evenly.
- Place the 8-oz brick of Feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over the tomatoes and the Feta.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of salt over the cheese and tomatoes.
- Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the Feta.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the cheese softens and begins to brown slightly.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a spoon, gently stir the cheese and tomatoes together until they form a creamy sauce. Add the 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and fold to combine.
- Mix in the cooked, drained, and kept-warm 12 oz bow tie pasta until everything is well combined and the pasta is coated in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnish with extra basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Always add 
tag after Directions.
FAQ
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
A: The sauce itself can be frozen, but texture may change slightly after thawing. For best results, freeze the sauce (tomato + feta mixture) in an airtight container and reheat gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.
Q: What can I use instead of feta?
A: You can substitute ricotta or goat cheese for a milder, creamier texture, though you’ll lose the signature tang of feta. For a firmer option, halloumi is possible but will change the melting behavior.
Q: What pasta shapes work best?
A: Bow tie (farfalle) is used here for its texture, but penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work equally well to hold the sauce.
Q: How can I make it spicy?
A: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes before roasting or finish with a drizzle of chili-infused olive oil to add heat.
Tips & Tricks
- Use high-quality olive oil: it noticeably improves the flavor of both the roasted tomatoes and the finished sauce.
- Dry tomatoes well: excess water prevents the tomatoes from roasting and bursting properly.
- Don’t overbake the feta: remove the dish once the tomatoes burst and the cheese is softened — overbaking can make the cheese too dry.
- Toss pasta while warm: mixing the sauce with hot pasta helps the feta emulsify into a silky coating.
Conclusion
If you want to explore variations and background on this viral favorite, try the recipe roundup at Best Baked Feta Pasta Recipe or a step-by-step version with cherry tomatoes at Baked Feta Pasta {With Cherry Tomatoes} – Feel Good Foodie. For another popular tutorial inspired by TikTok, see TikTok Baked Feta Pasta – Cooking Classy. If you’d like to read about one of the earliest viral takes, check Original Baked Feta Pasta Recipe (Viral Tiktok Pasta) – Grilled …. For a reliable kitchen-tested approach, visit Baked Feta Pasta Recipe | The Kitchn.
Enjoy your meal and feel free to share this cozy, shareable dish with friends and family. Always add
tag after Directions.
Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups grape tomatoes, washed and dried add natural sweetness and juicy bursts of flavor
- 8 oz brick of Feta cheese provides tangy creaminess and a rich, savory base
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning offers a balanced blend of herbs for depth
- 0.5 teaspoon salt enhances and balances flavors
- 5 tablespoons olive oil helps roast the tomatoes and creates a silky sauce
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil adds bright, fresh herbal notes and color
- 12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked, drained provides the hearty vehicle for the sauce and soaks up flavor
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the 2 ½ cups of washed and dried grape tomatoes to a medium-sized baking dish, spreading them evenly.
- Place the 8-oz brick of Feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over the tomatoes and the Feta.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of salt over the cheese and tomatoes.
- Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the Feta.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and the cheese softens and begins to brown slightly.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a spoon, gently stir the cheese and tomatoes together until they form a creamy sauce.
- Add the 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and fold to combine.
- Mix in the cooked, drained, and kept-warm 12 oz bow tie pasta until everything is well combined and the pasta is coated in the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnish with extra basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
