Mediterranean feta and tomato pasta bake

Mediterranean feta and tomato pasta bake with cherry tomatoes, feta, wholewheat pasta, garlic and basil – an aromatic oven dish with olive oil and a gentle chilli heat.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• Cooking time: 25 min
• Total time: 35 min
• Calories: 480 kcal per serving
• Protein: 18 g
• Fat: 20 g
• Carbs: 58 g

Ingredients

• 250 g cherry tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves
• 80 g wholewheat pasta
• 100 g feta cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh basil
• Chilli flakes

Method

You’ll need: oven · saucepan · baking dish · sieve

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (180 °C fan) and put the cherry tomatoes and unpeeled garlic cloves in a baking dish. Place the feta in the middle.
2. Drizzle everything with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Bake at 200 °C for 20–25 min until the tomatoes are soft and the feta takes on a little colour.
3. Cook the wholewheat pasta in salted water until al dente. Save a little of the cooking water before draining.
4. Squeeze the soft garlic out of its skin. Mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork into a creamy sauce, stirring in a little cooking water if needed.
5. Mix the cooked wholewheat pasta and fresh basil into the sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper and chilli.
6. Serve the Mediterranean feta and tomato pasta bake straight from the dish, ideally with a little extra basil on top.

Good to know

An oven dish like this takes little work but still tastes of a lot. Warm, gently spicy and just right when you want something uncomplicated and really good.

Swaps

Wholewheat pasta → chickpea or lentil pasta (also provides protein and fibre) Feta cheese → sheep's or goat's milk feta from grass-fed animals Part of the feta (approx. 50 g) → 2–3 tbsp cottage cheese or skyr (also provide protein) 2 tbsp olive oil → 1 tbsp olive oil + 1–2 tbsp vegetable stock (just as juicy)

Allergens

Contains milk (feta) and gluten (wholewheat pasta). Chilli and raw garlic can be a little irritating for sensitive children or people with a sensitive stomach; in pregnancy, use feta made from pasteurised milk and make sure everything is cooked through.

Frequently asked questions

What's in tomatoes, nutritionally?

Tomatoes provide vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, a red plant pigment from the carotenoid group. The content can vary a little depending on the variety and ripeness.

Does garlic suit everyone?

That's very individual. Garlic contains sulphur compounds and certain fermentable carbohydrates that can cause wind or bloating in sensitive people.

What does feta bring to this dish apart from flavour?

Feta provides protein, calcium and vitamin B12. It also contains salt, so go easy when seasoning.

What makes wholewheat pasta interesting nutritionally?

Wholewheat pasta keeps more of the whole grain, so it usually provides fibre, magnesium and B vitamins.