Creamy feta and tomato pasta with caramelised onions, basil, and a modern Mediterranean twist, easy and satisfying.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces dried short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni
→ Cheese
02 - 7 ounces block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped plus extra for garnish
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - In a large ovenproof baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired. Toss to evenly coat.
03 - Nestle the block of feta cheese into the center of the tomato mixture. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and lightly season with black pepper.
04 - Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and feta is softened with golden edges.
05 - While the tomatoes and feta bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the sliced onions. Cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes until deeply caramelised and golden brown. Set aside when finished.
06 - Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
07 - Once baking is complete, remove dish from oven. Add caramelised onions and chopped basil. Stir thoroughly, breaking up the feta to blend into a creamy sauce.
08 - Transfer cooked pasta into the baking dish. Toss until evenly coated, incorporating reserved pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
09 - Plate immediately. Top with extra fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil as desired.
