🧀 Why This Recipe Went Viral (And Why It’s Still Worth It)
In the dark days of lockdown, people turned to comfort food, TikTok trends, and apparently… bricks of cheese.
Enter baked feta pasta — the viral sensation that’s basically a one-pan miracle of creamy, tangy, saucy joy.
The formula was simple:Dump cherry tomatoes and feta in a dish
Drizzle with olive oil and roast Mix in pasta Cry happy tears.
What started as a Finnish blogger’s home recipe exploded across social platforms and still brings in millions of views annually. Why? Because it’s:
Ridiculously easy Ultra-creamy without creamA crowd-pleaserCustomizable AF Now let’s jump into this modern classic
Baked Feta Pasta: The Viral Recipe That Broke the Internet (And Still Deserves a Spot on Your Table)
Course: 30-Minute Meals3
servings30
minutes30
minutes310
kcal🍅 Ingredients You’ll Need
You probably have most of this already in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
Cherry tomatoestGrape tomatoes work tooBlock of feta cheesetAvoid crumbled — use the block styleOlive oiltGo generous here!Garlic clovestOptional, but recommendedSalt & peppertSeason to tasteCrushed red peppertFor a little kick
PastatShort types like penne, rigatoni, or rotini are best fresh basiltFor that herby finish—
Directions
- 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).Pro tip: Do this before dancing to the TikTok audio.2. Grab a 9×13 baking dish (or something similar). Toss in pints of cherry tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil (about ¼ cup)A sprinkle of salt and pepper optional: A few smashed garlic cloves3. Nestle has a block of feta cheese right in the center. Drizzle it with more olive oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes.4. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes burst and the feta is lightly golden on top.5. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to package directions. Save ½ cup of the pasta water.6. Remove the dish from the oven. Use a spoon to smash the feta and tomatoes into a creamy sauce.7. Toss in the drained pasta and a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.8. Finish with fresh chopped basil and serve hot.1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).Pro tip: Do this before you start dancing to the TikTok audio.2. Grab a 9×13 baking dish (or something similar). Toss in:2 pints of cherry tomatoesA drizzle of olive oil (about ¼ cup)A sprinkle of salt and pepperOptional: A few smashed garlic cloves3. Nestle a block of feta cheese right in the center. Drizzle it with a bit more olive oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes.4. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tomatoes burst and the feta is lightly golden on top.5. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to package directions. Save ½ cup of the pasta water.6. Remove the dish from the oven. Use a spoon to smash the feta and tomatoes into a creamy sauce.7. Toss in the drained pasta and a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.8. Finish with fresh chopped basil and serve hot.
Notes
- 💡 Tips & Variations <a name=”tips”></a>Add protein: Mix in cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans.Go green: Stir in spinach or arugula at the end.Make it spicy: Add chili flakes or a chopped jalapeño before baking.Use gluten-free pasta: Works perfectly
| Feta Type | Texture After Baking | Flavor Level | Best Pasta | Pairing |
| Greek Sheep’s Milk | Creamy, tangy | Bold | Penne | rotini |
| Danish Cow’s Milk | Milder, softer | Mild | Fusilli | macaroni |
| French Feta | Slightly crumbly | Balanced | Rigatoni, | orecchiette |
My secret weapon? This gorgeous ceramic baking dish that makes your feta bake look as good as it tastes
.👉 BUY IT ON AMAZON ( affiliate link)
> Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
.Why I love it:Even heat distribution
Oven + dishwasher safe
Comes in aesthetic colors perfect for Pinterest photo
☁️💬 Reader Reviews (Imagined, but realistic!)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I made this for my roommates and they now think I’m a genius.” – Jess M.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Used jalapeños and basil from my garden — BOMB.” – Leo T.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I accidentally used goat cheese. Still amazing.” – Sami R.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is my third time making it this month. Obsessed.” – Taylor K.
FAQS
Q: Can I use crumbled feta instead of a block?
A: You can, but it won’t get that beautiful creamy texture when baked. Stick with the block for best results.
Q: Is this good cold as pasta salad
?A: Honestly? Surprisingly yes. Just add a splash of olive oil when serving cold.
Q: Can I make this dairy–free?
A: Try using vegan feta alternatives! The taste isn’t identical, but still delish.
Q: What pasta shape works best?
A: Short, textured shapes like rotini or rigatoni hold the sauce best.
→💬 Reader Reviews (Imagined, but realistic!)
> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I made this for my roommates and they now think I’m a genius.” – Jess M.
> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Used jalapeños and basil from my garden — BOMB.” – Leo T.
> ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I accidentally used goat cheese. Still amazing.” – Sami R.
> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is my third time making it this month. Obsessed.” – Taylor K.
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🔗 Related Recipe You’ll Love
🥦 One Pot Summer Vegetable Pasta — another easy, creamy, veggie-packed hit!
Read the full recipe →
🍽️ Final Thoughts
The Baked Feta Pasta trend may have started as a viral fluke, but it’s earned its place in the weeknight dinner hall of fame.
With minimal ingredients, major flavor, and almost no cleanup, this dish is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen rockstar.
✨ Tried it
Snap a pic and tag @30MinuteBites — I’d love to see your version! And if you’re still craving creamy pasta perfection, don’t forget to check out this one-pot veggie stunner next
And if you’re still craving creamy pasta perfection, don’t forget to check out this one pot veggie stunner next