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Creamy 5-Ingredient Baked Feta Pasta Recipe with Spinach and Olives Made Easy

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A quick and easy baked feta pasta dish combining creamy feta, roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, and briny olives for a comforting Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block (8 ounces / 225 g) full-fat feta cheese
  • 2 cups (300 g) whole cherry tomatoes
  • 4 cups (120 g) fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) pitted and halved Kalamata olives
  • 12 ounces (340 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: freshly cracked black pepper
  • Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of a medium-sized oven-safe baking dish. Arrange the whole cherry tomatoes around the feta, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
  3. Drizzle everything generously with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  4. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until the tomatoes burst and soften, and the feta becomes golden and creamy on top. Check at 25 minutes if your oven runs hot.
  5. While the feta and tomatoes roast, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain and reserve about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  6. Remove the baking dish from the oven and add the fresh baby spinach and halved Kalamata olives directly into the dish. The warm feta and tomatoes will gently wilt the spinach.
  7. Mash the feta and tomatoes together into a creamy sauce using a fork or spoon. Stir well to combine the spinach and olives.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Use full-fat block feta for best creamy sauce texture. Do not overcook pasta or feta. Add spinach after baking to keep it fresh and vibrant. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Rotate baking dish halfway if oven has hot spots. Optional seasonings like red pepper flakes and fresh herbs add flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, creamy pasta, spinach pasta, olives, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, Mediterranean pasta

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/creamy-5-ingredient-baked-feta-pasta-recipe-with-spinach-and-olives-made-easy/