Name: Tik Tok Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Ingredients: 2 pints cherry tomatoes; ½ cup extra virgin oil; 8 ounce block feta cheese, drained; 10 ounces pasta, rigatoni or spaghetti; 1 clove garlic, finely grated; ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced; kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 pints cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup extra virgin oil
8 ounce block feta cheese, drained
10 ounces pasta, rigatoni or spaghetti
1 clove garlic, finely grated
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Toss the cherry tomatoes and olive oil with ¼ teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Pour into a 2½ to 3 quart baking dish. Place the feta in the center of the tomatoes, then season with a pinch of black pepper. Bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Increase the heat to 450 degrees F, then continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water, then drain well.
Right as the tomatoes and feta come out of the oven, stir in the garlic. Use the back of spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a smooth and creamy sauce. Toss in the pasta and half of the basil until evenly coated. Add some pasta water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, if the sauce becomes too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining basil and a pinch of salt for serving.

Notes

Any type of pasta can be used in this recipe. And any type of protein. I chose spaghetti noodles and shrimp cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course