Zesty Lemon-Basil Feta Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 block feta cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 12 oz pasta, cooked al dente
• 1 lemon lemon zest, zested
• 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
• to taste salt and pepper

1. 01
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. 02
   In a large baking dish, arrange the cherry tomatoes and place the block of feta cheese in the center.
3. 03
   Drizzle the olive oil over the tomatoes and feta. Sprinkle the minced garlic and red pepper flakes evenly over the dish. Season with salt and pepper.
4. 04
   Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is golden brown and soft.
5. 05
   While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
6. 06
   Remove the baking dish from the oven and use a fork to mash the softened feta and burst tomatoes into a creamy sauce.
7. 07
   Add the lemon zest and chopped basil to the sauce and stir to combine.
8. 08
   Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
9. 09
   Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes, if desired.
10. 10
    Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves if desired.