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Healthy baked feta pasta with vegetables served in a bowl

Healthy Baked Feta Pasta with Vegetables

A quick and comforting dish that combines creamy feta cheese and roasted vegetables with pasta, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Essentials
  • 200 g pasta (penne, fusilli, rigatoni, or any short pasta)
  • 200 g block feta cheese full-fat gives the creamiest result; find it in brine or vacuum-packed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 150g)
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced (about 1 to 1½ cups diced)
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red, yellow, or orange for sweetness)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic paste)
  • 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (plus a little extra for drizzling)
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade for garnish
Optional add-ons
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes for heat (or to taste)
  • lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
  • a handful of baby spinach stirred in at the end for extra greens
  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino for cheesier finish
  • Toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for crunch
  • A sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning for more herb flavor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a medium-sized baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
Vegetable Preparation
  1. In the baking dish, place halved cherry tomatoes, diced zucchini, and diced bell pepper.
  2. Sprinkle minced garlic over the vegetables and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Season with salt and pepper and toss gently to coat.
Center the Feta
  1. Place the block of feta in the center of the vegetables and drizzle olive oil over it.
  2. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
Roasting
  1. Roast in the oven for about 25–30 minutes until the veggies are tender and the feta is soft.
Cooking the Pasta
  1. While the vegetables roast, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Once the feta is soft, mash it into the tomatoes and vegetables, creating a rustic sauce.
  2. Add the drained pasta and stir in reserved pasta water if needed.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh basil and any optional add-ons before serving.
  2. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

You can swap vegetables and add protein or greens for a more filling meal.