How to Make TikTok Pasta With Simpliest Steps
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| TikTok Pasta. Photo: KnowInsiders |
The TikTok pasta everyone is talking about: baked feta pasta has it all, big bold flavors, creamy comfort, and carbs!
Baked feta pasta is taking the TikTok world by storm and it’s obvious why: it’s creamy, tomato-y, and SO damn delicious. It’s probably the simplest pasta dish you’ll make this month and the reward is so high for an incredibly low effort.
What is The TikTok Pasta Trend?
You don't need a TikTok account to make a big batch of this creamy and tomato-y baked feta pasta. In fact, all you need is 6 basic ingredients and a hungry tummy.
This pasta is all about zero effort and maximum taste. It's the BEST kind of comfort food - and it's going to become your new favorite pasta in no time.
So where did this tasty pasta come from? It wasn't TikTok...
A Finnish food blogger Jenny Hayrinen created this recipe in 2019 and called it Uunifetapasta... but after recently being shared on TikTok it's now it's gone completely VIRAL and is taking the pasta-loving world by storm!
This TikTok pasta is actually awesome
Sometimes the best kind of cooking is the kind that takes no time at all so you can spend more time with loved ones enjoying the food. I love that the prep time for this dish is so low and the actual hands-on time is super low. If you can stir, you can make this dish.
The predominant flavors of this pasta are feta and tomatoes, it’s practically a two-ingredient pasta. If you’re not a huge feta fan, you can definitely use another cheese – baked brie, cream cheese, or ricotta would be AMAZING.
What is baked feta pasta?
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| Photo: Delish |
Baked feta pasta is a pasta dish that’s currently going viral on TikTok right now because it’s incredibly easy to make, tasty, and looks good. It’s based on a Greek appetizer, baked feta. The first mention of mixing baked feta with pasta was popularized by Finnish blogger Jenni Häyrinen. She called it uunifetapasta or baked feta pasta. Apparently, feta pasta is incredibly popular in Finland because a couple of other bloggers also blogged about it as well. Now it’s so viral that I heard that it’s difficult to find feta!
The Short History of Baked Feta PastaA version of feta pasta was originally shared by Tiiu Piret on her blog in 2018, then it went viral a year later when Jenni Hayrinen shared her simplified version of “uunifetapasta” (Finnish for ‘oven-baked feta pasta’) on Tiktok (and her blog). This version of mine shares the same idea with a few additions I love – like a fair amount of roasted garlic, fresh spinach, and extra herbs. I also like a medium bite-size pasta here. It’s amazing how something so simple can taste so supremely delicious. After just one taste you’ll be hooked! |
Ingredients to Make Baked Feta Pasta
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| Photo: Pinterest |
* Feta - choose soft feta (like Danish) as it will bake to an oozy creamy deliciousness. Stick to full-fat feta for the creamiest, most drool-worthy pasta.
* Tomatoes - any variety of mini tomatoes will work beautifully - but remember, the sweeter - the better! When baked, the liquid from the tomatoes will seep out creating the main sauce ingredient when mixed with the baked feta. I used cherry tomatoes in this recipe.
* Olive oil - this helps to roast the tomatoes, bake the feta until golden and creamy and then mix everything together to create the creamiest tomato sauce - YUM!
* Garlic - you can use 2 cloves of fresh garlic minced or 2 teaspoons of store-bought minced garlic. Stirring it through the very hot baked tomatoes and feta will cook it perfectly and remove any 'raw' garlic flavour.
* Pasta - it really doesn't matter what variety of pasta you choose - spaghetti, penne, macaroni, rigatoni, fettuccine, spirals, bows, shells... they all work great (I used rigatoni in this recipe).
* Fresh basil - tomato and fresh basil are the basics of a classic Italian pasta - and when combined with the creamy feta, they're certainly a match made in heaven in this TikTok pasta.
* Salt - kosher salt works best for my recipe but you could also use pink himalayan.
* Red Pepper Flakes - the original recipe uses chiles but i swapped it out for red pepper flakes because i always have it on hand.
Tomato season
It’s tomato season and summer is the perfect time to make Tiktok baked feta pasta. There are so many sweet tomatoes out there right now and they’ll all add a nice in season twist to this comfort classic. Even if you aren’t a tomato fan, tomatoes in the summer just hit different, so give them a try!
Tomatoes taste better in the summer, try these:
* roma tomatoes
* grape tomatoes
* beefsteak tomatoes
* cocktail tomatoes
* heirloom tomatoes
No tomatoes please
If you’re really not a fan of tomatoes, try these no tomato baked feta pastas:
* Zucchini and peppers – chop up 1-2 zucchinis and 1 red pepper in place of the tomatoes.
* Broccoli and lemon – chop up 1 head of broccoli in place of the tomatoes and finish with lemon zest.
Air fryer baked feta pasta
To make baked feta pasta in the air fryer:
Make sure your baking dish fits inside your air fryer. Place the ingredients in the baking dish and set inside the air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes have burst and the cheese is golden. Stir the tomatoes and cheese with the garlic and red pepper until everything forms a creamy sauce then pour over cooked pasta. Season to taste and finish with basil.
Instant Pot baked feta pasta
To make Instant Pot baked feta pasta:
Place 1.5 cups water or stock, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, 1/3 cup olive oil, 8 oz of feta cheese, garlic, and 9 oz uncooked short pasta. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release the pressure and remove the lid. Turn on sauté mode and stir, breaking up the tomatoes and feta into a creamy sauce, coating the pasta. Season to taste, stir in the basil and enjoy.
Crock Pot baked feta pasta
To make slow cooker baked feta pasta:
Add the tomatoes, olive oil, feta cheese, and garlic to your crock pot. Cook on high for 1 hour or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta is melty and creamy. Stir everything together into a creamy sauce. Add 9 oz dried pasta and 1.5 cups of water or stock and stir. Cook on high for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. Season to taste, and add the and basil. Enjoy!
How to choose the best feta
Choose a feta that is made from sheep’s milk! Feta made from cow’s milk or goat milk is more crumby. If you want a smooth and creamy feta, sheep’s milk feta is the way to go. Also, younger fetas are more milky and creamy and aged fetas tend to be more complex and intense.
Greek feta vs French feta
If you’re not a huge fan of feta but you want to try this pasta, try using French feta. Greek feta tends to be saltier, more crumbly, and tangy which can lead to your sauce being grainy. If you’re Greek feta fan, go for feta that has more sheep’s milk rather than goat. French feta is made with only sheep’s milk and is mild and creamy compared to Greek feta. Bulgarian feta is very similar to French feta: it’s made with 100% sheep’s milk and is not aged as long so it’s a lot creamier and not as tangy.
How to Make Baked Feta Pasta
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| Photo: Pinterest |
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and most of the olive oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.
Step 2: Place feta into center of tomato mixture and drizzle top with remaining olive oil. Scatter thyme over tomatoes. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Step 4: To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) to skillet and stir until completely combined. Garnish with basil before serving.
Key Tips to have a delicious pasta
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| Photo: foodnetwork |
Don’t Over Do It On the Pasta
A lot of TikTok videos show users making this dish with a whole pound of pasta. Resist the urge to use the whole box and just use 8 to 10 ounces. You want the baked tomato and feta sauce to coat the pasta nicely. Any more pasta will make for a dry dish.
Short Pasta Is Preferred
Use a short pasta for this recipe, such as a rigatoni, penne or fusilli instead of long noodle like spaghetti or linguine. Short pasta will easily stir into the hearty sauce and be more enjoyable to eat. We particularly love how the sauce gets stuck inside the nooks and crannies of mezze rigatoni!
Save Your Pasta Water
Once the pasta is finished boiling and just al dente, reserve some of your pasta water, then drain. A splash of this warm, starchy water will help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Get Good-Quality Feta
Make sure to buy a good-quality feta for this recipe, particularly because it’s the main ingredient and flavor of this dish! We suggest using a medium or firm Greek feta made only from sheep’s milk. Feta made from cow’s milk tends to be crumblier and more sour in flavor compared to other varieties.
Don’t be Afraid of the Amount of Oil
Not only does the olive oil prevent the tomatoes from burning, but it also helps to cook (or confit) the tomatoes, providing a smooth and rich mouthfeel. I promise, you want to use the full 1/2 cup!
Get Good-Quality Feta
Make sure to buy a good-quality feta for this recipe, particularly because it’s the main ingredient and flavor of this dish! We suggest using a medium or firm Greek feta made only from sheep’s milk. Feta made from cow’s milk tends to be crumblier and more sour in flavor compared to other varieties.
Don’t be Afraid of the Amount of Oil
Not only does the olive oil prevent the tomatoes from burning, but it also helps to cook (or confit) the tomatoes, providing a smooth and rich mouthfeel. I promise, you want to use the full 1/2 cup!
| Add everything to the pan. The original recipe has you stir in raw garlic after the tomatoes and feta are baked in the oven. For an even more delicious pasta, add crushed or smashed garlic directly to the pan when you add the tomatoes. Other aromatics will work too: quarter some onions or shallots for a sweet onion-y addition, or even ginger for a warming touch. Think about other herbs. Everyone knows basil and tomatoes go together, but get creative! Add some thyme sprigs, scallions, chives, oregano, parsley, or rosemary. Maybe sprinkle on some everything bagel spice or use Italian seasoning for even more flavor. Try a mix of cheeses. Go for half feta and half cream cheese for the ultimate in creamy, cheesy goodness. |
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