Feta and Fusilli

Roasted tomatoes, lots of seasonings, insanely cheesy deliciousness and the fusilli pasta holds all of it in it's little twists.

Ingredients:

7 oz (oregano) feta

1 pint grape tomatoes

3 tsps minced garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

pepper to taste

2 pinches red pepper flakes

a few shakes of Mrs. Dash original blend

3/4 lb tricolour fusilli

1 cup reserved pasta water

1 1/2 cups lightly packed baby greens.

Toss tomatoes and garlic with half of the olive oil and place in a 10 inch cast iron pan. Make a space in the center of the tomatoes for the feta. (I used oregano flavoured feta, but plain is good too) Sprinkle pepper, red pepper flakes and Mrs. Dash. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the cheese and bake in a 400°F oven for 30 minutes.

About halfway through cooking the cheese and tomatoes cook the fusilli. Before draining reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain and toss the fusilli with the greens.

When the cheese is ready break it up with the back of a spoon and crush down the tomatoes. 

Stir in enough of the pasta water to reach a creamy consistency that coats everything when stirred together.

Serves 4

Baked Feta Pasta

Yes, that Tik Tok Baked Feta Pasta that's all over the place right now! I had to see what all the hype was about, and you know what? It's pretty good!

Ingredients:

7 oz feta

1 pint cherry tomatoes

3 tsps minced garlic

pinch to 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

black pepper to taste

1/4 cup olive oil

5 or 6 asparagus spears (optional)

1 cup reserved pasta water

1/2 lb penne pasta

Put about half the oil in the bottom of a 10" cast iron pan or oven safe baking dish. Add the tomatoes, garlic and asparagus and toss to coat. Make a space in the center and sit the feta in.

Drizzle the remaining olive oil on top and sprinkle black pepper and red pepper flakes.

Homemade bread awaiting dinner...

(recipe link below)

Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes until feta can be broken down with the back of a spoon.

While the feta bakes cook up the penne and reserve some pasta water.

Keep stirring, crushing the feta and tomatoes with a spoon and add reserved pasta water to the desired consistency.

Drain the cooked pasta and toss with the sauce.

I'd make this again 😋

Serves 4

And if you are interested in this Easy White Bread recipe, find the recipe here:

https://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2021/03/easy-white-bread.html