Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce is a popular trend right now.
I like that this dish can be made lower in fat than regular baked pasta dishes.
Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce
This is a lower in fat version of a popular recipe featuring a feta cheese pasta sauce.
Eat lower fat versions of recipes in moderation can be friendlier to the Mediterranean diet.
Did you try my recipe for Instant Pot Pasta in Vodka Sauce?
That great tasting pasta recipe is also easy to make in an instant pot.
This easy recipe is also great tasting but, it is baked in an oven.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
You may be wondering can you put uncooked pasta in sauce.
While you could probably get away with basically throwing everything in a pot and cooking it all together, I do not always recommend doing this as it is hard to control how the pasta will turn out. The only time that I would do this would be in a slow cooker, monitoring the pasta and liquids well.
For this recipe we will cook the pasta according to the packaging.
After the pasta has cooked, we will add it to the baking dish with the other ingredients.
This will allow for the pasta to be at the optimal texture for this recipe.
This recipe is for anyone asking is Feta Cheese Healthy.
Feta Cheese is a Greek cheese that is made with sheep and sometimes goat milk.
Because Feta cheese is a softer cheese, it is perfect for a recipe such as this one (pasta sauce).
There are some benefits of feta cheese.
Because feta cheese is a lower in fat cheese when compared to other cheeses, it is friendlier to the Mediterranean diet. Having said that, feta cheese, and thus this pasta recipe, should be eaten in moderation.
Baked Pasta in Feta Sauce in casserole dish
Tips for making baked feta pasta sauce.
I just mentioned that feta cheese is made with milk from sheep and sometimes goat. However, using a feta cheese that is made with cows milk is not recommended as it is a more crumbly consistency and the flavor is not the best for this recipe.
Here are some more great tips for you.
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- This is one of those recipes that works best with ingredient portions as they are presented. Resist the urge to add extra pasta as it will absorb the moisture from this dish and you may not enjoy the result.
- Mediterranean diet followers can try using a lower in fat feta cheese. I will discuss in a moment how to get a better texture if you choose to do this.
- This recipe calls for Rigatoni as it is a shorter pasta and is easier to serve and eat from a baking dish. Alternative pastas that could work in this recipe include penne or fusilli.
Using a better quality Feta cheese is essential to the success of this recipe.
Greek Feta cheese has a creamier texture than an American brand Feta cheese as I just touched on with the cows milk feta. Even better, a feta made with sheep's milk is best for this recipe as it is firmer.
If you choose to use a cows milk cheese or a more crumbly feta cheese, here is how you can adjust the ingredients.
After cooking the pasta save a cup of the pasta water to use later on.
You can add a small amount of the pasta water, with or without ricotta cheese to adjust for additional creaminess. Note: using a crumbly non smooth feta will change the texture of this dish.
You may be wondering how hard is al dente.
Pasta is cooked to al dente, or until it is still a bit firm, helps to prevent overcooking the pasta. Since we will be combining the pasta with warm sauce, it could most likely continue to cook and thus, lose its structure.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Easy Meatless Lasagna
- Vegan Oatmeal Cookies made with dates.
- Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing.
- How to Make Fire Roasted Tomatoes.
- Kale and Quinoa Caesar Salad.
- Mediterranean Style Green Bean Salad.
- Classic Eggplant Caponata.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce
Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce
I mentioned above that this recipe calls for Rigatoni as it is a shorter pasta and is easier to serve and eat from a baking dish. Alternative pastas that could work in this recipe include penne or fusilli (if you use a whole wheat version, check the instructions for al dente).
Also mentioned was that this recipe works best with a Greek Sheep's milk Feta (firmer) because of the structure
To adjust another feta (such as a lower fat version) you can add a small amount of the pasta water, with or without ricotta cheese to adjust for additional creaminess. Note: using a crumbly non smooth feta will change the texture of this dish.
Ingredients needed to make Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce.
- Cherry Tomatoes- 2 pints (20 ounces). Grape tomatoes may work in this recipe as well. The tomatoes should be rinsed and allowed to drain.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil- ½ cup.
- Kosher Salt and pepper- to taste.
- Feta Cheese- 1 block. Greek or sheep's milk preferred. See above for adjustments that can be used if using another feta cheese.
- Rigatoni pasta- 10 ounces. Adding additional pasta will result in a dryer dish as your ingredient balance will be thrown off. You will need to adjust ingredients if you do this. Alternative pastas that could work in this recipe include penne or fusilli.
- Garlic- 2 cloves, chopped.
- Fresh basil as needed for garnish.
How to make Viral Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce .
- Preheat the oven to 400 and lightly spray a baking dish ( 2 ½ to 3 quart works best) if desired for nonstick.
- Place the tomatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil and desired salt and pepper. Then transfer the tomatoes to the baking dish.
- Evenly spread the tomatoes out in the baking dish and then place the block of cheese in the center of the dish. Bake this uncovered for 35-40 mins or until the tomatoes skin have burst.
- Meanwhile, cook the paste until al dente. Bringing a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta for about 10-13 minutes or according to the package instructions for cooking to al dente. Reserve a half cup to a cup of the pasta water to use if needed later to thin out the sauce or compensate for using a less firm feta.
- After removing the tomatoes and feta from the oven use a wooden spoon to stir in the garlic. Then flip the spoon over or use a fork to smash the tomatoes and feta to create a creamy sauce.
- Next, stir in the pasta. If the sauce seems thick, add a teaspoon at a time of the reserve pasta water.
- Add the basil and any additional seasonings as desired and serve.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce, a lower fat version of a popular viral recipe that is perfect for dinner or gatherings.
Easy Pasta in Feta Sauce
Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes- 2 pints 20 ounces.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil– ½ cup.
- Kosher Salt and pepper- to taste.
- Feta Cheese- 1 block.
- Rigatoni pasta– 10 ounces.
- Garlic- 2 cloves chopped.
- Fresh basil as needed for garnish.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 and lightly spray a baking dish ( 2 ½ to 3 quart works best) if desired for nonstick.
- Place the tomatoes in a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil and desired salt and pepper. Then transfer the tomatoes to the baking dish.
- Evenly spread the tomatoes out in the baking dish and then place the block of cheese in the center of the dish. Bake this uncovered for 35-40 mins or until the tomatoes skin have burst.
- Meanwhile, cook the paste until al dente. Bringing a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta for about 10-13 minutes or according to the package instructions for cooking to al dente. Reserve a half cup to a cup of the pasta water to use if needed later to thin out the sauce or compensate for using a less firm feta.
- After removing the tomatoes and feta from the oven use a wooden spoon to stir in the garlic. Then flip the spoon over or use a fork to smash the tomatoes and feta to create a creamy sauce.
- Next, stir in the pasta. If the sauce seems thick, add a teaspoon at a time of the reserve pasta water.
- Add the basil and any additional seasonings as desired and serve.
Recipe Notes
originally posted:
February 9, 2021*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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