Baked Feta & Tomato Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle)

A creamy, tangy, and ultra-easy baked pasta made by roasting feta cheese with juicy tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil, then mixing it with bowtie pasta for a rich, silky sauce. It’s simple, viral, and restaurant-level delicious.

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: ~45 minutes

Servings

Serves 4

Ingredients

🍅 Bake Base

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 200g Feta cheese (whole block)
• 3–4 garlic cloves, whole or minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Chili flakes (optional)

🍝 Pasta

• 250g bowtie pasta (farfalle)
• Salt (for boiling water)

🌿 Optional Add-ins

• Fresh basil
• Spinach
• Grilled chicken
• Lemon zest

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven

Preheat to:

200°C (400°F)

Step 2: Assemble the bake

In a baking dish add:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Feta block in the center
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Pepper
• Chili flakes (optional)

Toss tomatoes lightly around the feta.

Step 3: Bake

Bake for:

30–35 minutes

Until:

• Tomatoes burst
• Feta is soft and golden on top

Step 4: Cook pasta

Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente.

Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

Step 5: Mix everything

Mash baked feta and tomatoes together into a creamy sauce.

Add cooked pasta and mix well.

Add a splash of pasta water if needed for creaminess.

Step 6: Serve

Top with:

• Fresh basil
• Olive oil drizzle
• Chili flakes

Serve warm.

Flavor Notes

This dish is:

• Creamy from baked feta
• Sweet and tangy from roasted tomatoes
• Garlicky and rich
• Comforting but fresh

Variations

Protein Boost 💪

Add:

• Grilled chicken
• Shrimp
• Chickpeas

Green Version 🥬

Add:

• Spinach
• Arugula
• Zucchini

Spicy Version 🌶️

Add:

• Extra chili flakes
• Hot sauce drizzle

Storage Tips

• Store in fridge up to 3 days
• Reheat with a splash of water or olive oil
• Best eaten fresh for creamy texture

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 420–550
• Protein: 15–22g
• Carbs: 45–60g
• Fat: 18–28g

❓ Q&A Section

❓ Why bake the feta instead of mixing it?

Baking feta softens it and lets it melt into a creamy, tangy sauce when combined with roasted tomatoes.

❓ Can I use other pasta shapes?

Yes. Penne, rigatoni, or fusilli all work well—anything that holds sauce.

❓ Can I make it healthier?

Yes:

• Use whole wheat pasta
• Add spinach or zucchini
• Reduce feta slightly and increase veggies

❓ Is it very salty?

Feta is naturally salty, so avoid adding too much extra salt until you taste the final dish.

❓ Can I meal prep this?

Yes, but it’s best fresh. If storing, add a little olive oil or water when reheating to restore creaminess.

❓ Can I make it dairy-free?

You can try plant-based feta alternatives, but the texture will be slightly different.