So this recipe saved me last year when I made the decision to simplify week-day meals. Hey, no more Tuesday night paella with sangria! I had heard that it came from Tik Tok but truthfully I just googled it after hearing about it and found a good version of it right here. This is now a staple for weekends and weekdays it’s THAT yummy.
Here goes:
INGREDIENTS
2 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes
1 shallot, quartered (I actually never used this)
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 (8-oz.) block feta
3 sprigs fresh thyme
10 oz. pasta
Zest of 1 lemon (optional but I used it and it’s fabulous)
Fresh basil, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and all but 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.
- Place feta into center of tomato mixture and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Scatter thyme sprigs over tomatoes. Bake for 40 minutes, OR until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top. (NOTES – check how it’s doing at the 30 minute mark as it can be quite done by then)
- Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) and stir until combined. Garnish with basil.
Serve it up and enjoy!
Condofire 