Viral TikTok Feta Pasta

TikTok Feta Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
• 4 cloves garlic, halved lengthwise
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt
• 1 block (7 ounces / 200 grams) Greek feta cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
• Fresh basil leaves, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat to 400 degrees.
2. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and toss to coat. 
3. Place your feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes and garlic, top with the remaining olive oil, and sprinkle everything with red pepper flakes and a little black pepper. 
4. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and the tomatoes have burst their skins.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
6. Mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork and mix until evenly combined. 
7. Mix the sauce with pasta, adding the reserved pasta water as needed if it looks a little dry.
8.  Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. 
9. Top with basil leaves when you serve.