Baked Feta Pasta

 

Ingredients

• 2 pt. 

  cherry or grape tomatoes

• 1 

  shallot, quartered

• 3 

  cloves garlic, smashed 

• 1/2 cup 

  extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• Kosher salt

• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 

  (8-oz.) block feta

• 3 

  sprigs fresh thyme 

• 10 oz. 

  pasta

• Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

• Fresh basil leaves, for serving

• 
  

• Directions

  • 1. Step 1Preheat oven to 400°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and all but 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.
    2. Step 2Place feta into center of tomato mixture and drizzle with reserved 1 Tsp. oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over tomatoes.
    3. Step 3Bake until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top, 40 to 45 minutes.
    4. Step 4Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 c. pasta water before draining.
    5. Step 5To skillet, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) and stir until combined. Top with basil.