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Baked Feta Pasta with Chickpeas

Baked Feta Pasta with Chickpeas
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Baked Feta Pasta with Chickpeas is a comforting and creamy pasta dish that combines tangy baked feta, sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, and protein-packed chickpeas. This simple one-bake recipe creates a luscious, flavorful sauce perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort. Versatile and adaptable, this dish offers a satisfying blend of textures and tastes, finished with fresh basil for brightness.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Dairy

  • 1 block of feta cheese (about 200-250g)

Vegetables & Legumes

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 4 garlic cloves, whole
  • Fresh basil leaves, a handful, chopped

Pantry Staples

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 225g dry pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, place the block of feta cheese in the center. Surround the feta with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, and whole garlic cloves. Drizzle olive oil evenly over everything, then season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  2. Bake the Feta and Veggies: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is golden and soft. This process melds the flavors into a creamy, savory sauce.
  3. Cook the Pasta: While the feta and veggies bake, cook your pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  4. Combine in the Baking Dish: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a spoon or spatula, mash and stir the baked feta, tomatoes, chickpeas, and garlic to create a creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Stir in freshly chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan, extra basil, or toasted pine nuts.

Notes

  • Use a high-quality block of feta rather than crumbled for optimal creaminess when baked.
  • Keep an eye on the dish while baking to prevent the tomatoes from burning and preserve their natural sweetness.
  • Reserve some pasta water when draining — it helps loosen the sauce and improves sauce adherence to pasta.
  • Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley at the end for brightness and freshness.
  • Roasting garlic whole softens its sharpness, providing a mild, aromatic depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked feta pasta, chickpeas pasta, creamy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, Mediterranean pasta, one-bake pasta, protein-packed pasta

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/baked-feta-pasta-with-chickpeas/