BYEarlier this year, I kept hearing about TikTok pasta. Feeling entirely too old to be on TikTok for anything other than animal videos, I largely ignored it. Besides, I was so busy with my first year of teaching (you know, during a global pandemic) and managing my kiddo’s scoliosis that, aside from being alarmed at the lack of blocks of feta cheese at the grocery store, I just let those kids have their TikTok and their TikTok pasta.
Once life settled down, I decided to see what it was all about and I am a believer. I believe. It is so simple–fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, pasta, a block of feta, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic–and yet so delicious.
It has become one of my family’s favorite meals, and it’s so easy that all my kids can make it. Plus, when I say that busting into that roasted feta at the end is incredibly satisfying, I MEAN IT.
How to Make TikTok Pasta (No TikTok Required)
Preheat oven to 400 F. Rinse tomatoes and place in a 9×13″ baking dish.
Add the cloves of garlic evenly around the pan. Nestle the entire block of feta in the center of the tomatoes.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes (if using.) Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 30 minutes.
When the tomatoes have about 15 minutes to go, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When it boils, cook the pasta al dente. I like Cellentani pasta for most recipes like this (like our macaroni and cheese and Hot Meat Noodle)–it’s a good size with a nice bite and it holds onto the sauce well.
About the time you add the pasta, increase the heat to 450 F and finish off the feta and tomatoes at the higher temperature.
When the pasta is done cooking, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside. Remove the tomatoes from the oven
and smoosh the cheese and tomatoes, stirring together to create a creamy sauce.
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Add the pasta directly to the baking dish and stir. If necessary, add the reserved pasta water to create a sauce-like consistency.Top with sliced fresh basil and a sprinkle of salt to taste.
THE BEST.
The end.
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Fresh Tomato and Feta Pasta (TikTok Pasta)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This recipe for fresh tomato and feta pasta (which is frequently called TikTok Pasta because that’s how it gained notoriety) is ridiculously simple and incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
24 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes
4–6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 8-ounce block of feta cheese, drained
1/3–1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
8 ounces pasta (I like Cellentani)
Handful of fresh basil, sliced
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 F. Rinse tomatoes and place in a 9×13″ baking dish. Add the cloves of garlic evenly around the pan. Nestle the entire block of feta in the center of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes (if using.) Drizzle with olive oil, toss tomatoes around lightly, and bake for 30 minutes.
When the tomatoes have about 15 minutes to go, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When it boils, cook the pasta al dente.
About the time you add the pasta, increase the heat to 450 F and finish off the feta and tomatoes at the higher temperature.
When the pasta is done cooking, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, drain, and set aside. Remove the tomatoes from the oven and smoosh the cheese and tomatoes, stirring together to create a creamy sauce. Add the pasta directly to the baking dish and stir. If necessary, add the reserved pasta water to create a sauce-like consistency. Top with sliced fresh basil and a sprinkle of salt to taste.