Embrace the trend of a simple yet delicious dish with this recipe that’s faster and easier than setting up a social media profile!
I don’t take seriously most of the cooking advice I find on social media. In fact, you may be shocked to learn that I have zero presence on TikTok. But that doesn’t mean I’m entirely out of the viral-recipe loop. It simply means that it takes a lot for an online sensation to infiltrate my kitchen.
One dish that managed to breach my digital perimeter is a pasta and feta dish created by some Finnish bloggers. Little birdies told me it took off on TikTok in early 2021, but I didn’t get too excited. Then I tasted a friend’s version and became intrigued. This recipe for baked feta pasta—aka uunifetapasta in Finnish—is an homage to all the people who copied, refined, popularized, or otherwise embraced Jenni Häyrinen’s original 2019 dish.
I was really impressed with the simplicity of her core creation. Roasting a block of feta with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and a few simple seasonings is actually genius—so you’ll find all that in this recipe. But I opted for red pepper flakes instead of freshly chopped chili peppers, mostly for convenience, and I used fresh basil leaves for garnish instead of extra garlic and a bit of lemon zest.
Feel free to use this recipe as your own template for creativity. Want to add a dusting of Parmesan? Go for it! Prefer a long pasta like spaghetti? You do you! Just be sure to snap some pics and post them online—your unique touches might become the next viral sensation!
Tips for next-level “uunifetapasta”
- Opt for Greek sheep’s milk feta to mimic the traditional Finnish version and get the creamiest texture.
- Be careful not to over-salt at the beginning because both feta and pasta water contribute to the dish’s overall saltiness.
- Tap that pasta water as needed to ensure the sauce is silky and evenly coats the pasta.
- Add the garlic after roasting for extra texture and complexity—or keep it in step two, before roasting, for sweeter, mellower flavor.
- Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving to heighten the flavors and achieve Insta-worthy presentation.
How do I store leftovers?
Let your baked feta pasta cool completely before storing, but don’t leave it at room temp for more than 2 hours. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the pasta will become mushy and the feta can turn grainy.
Enjoy leftovers cold from the fridge with fresh basil and a sprinkle of grated hard cheese for refreshed flavors. Or reheat them on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or olive oil as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serving suggestions
Serve your baked feta pasta on its own for a light but tasty lunch. Or pair it with other dishes that boast an internet pedigree, like this Viral Peanut Butter Board and a Cookie In A Mug. This dish also pairs beautifully with a simple Kale Salad and maybe some Vegan Meatballs for extra protein.
Baked Feta Pasta (The Viral TikTok One!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling, optional
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces feta cheese in block form, not crumbled
- 4 ounces uncooked short pasta
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large, ovenproof baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil. Toss gently until the tomatoes are evenly coated. Season lightly with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Place the feta block in the center of the tomato mixture, turning it once or twice so it’s lightly coated in oil and seasoning. Drizzle a little extra oil over the feta, if desired.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes, or until the tomatoes are blistered and soft, and the feta is golden brown on top.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package directions state. Reserve about 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven. Use a spoon to gently mash the tomatoes and feta together in the dish to create a creamy sauce. If the mixture looks dry, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the baking dish, tossing well to coat with the feta-tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed.
- Garnish generously with fresh basil leaves and serve warm.
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