Baked Feta with Honey Chili (Print View)

Creamy baked feta and roasted tomatoes blended with honey, chili flakes, and tender pasta for a balanced flavor.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheese & Dairy

01 - 7 oz block feta cheese

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 lb cherry tomatoes
03 - 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Oils & Acids

05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes, plus extra for garnish
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - Kosher salt, to taste

→ Garnishes & Sweeteners

10 - 2 tbsp honey
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
12 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Arrange cherry tomatoes in a baking dish, add chopped garlic, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, oregano, and half of the red pepper flakes; toss to combine.
03 - Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes, drizzle with additional olive oil, and sprinkle with the remaining red pepper flakes.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and the feta is golden and slightly melted.
05 - While baking, cook the pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water; reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
06 - Remove baking dish from oven; drizzle honey over feta and tomatoes, then scatter lemon zest on top.
07 - Stir tomatoes and feta to form a creamy sauce, add cooked pasta and toss, adding reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a silky consistency.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with torn basil leaves and extra red pepper flakes as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks fancy enough for guests but takes barely longer than regular pasta.
  • The feta becomes this creamy, dreamy sauce without any cream at all.
  • Honey and chili together taste like a flavor revelation, not just sweetness.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the feta or it becomes grainy instead of creamy, so watch carefully in those last few minutes.
  • Pasta water is not optional, it's the difference between sauce and a dry dish, so add it gradually and taste.
03 -
  • Use a hot honey if you can find it, or warm regular honey gently before drizzling so it distributes evenly and tastes more luxurious.
  • The pasta water starch is what creates creaminess without cream, so don't skip reserving it and don't feel shy about using a generous amount.
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