Why do you need a block of feta and not crumbled feta?

A block of feta is essential — crumbled feta will not work for this recipe. The block of feta bakes into a creamy, spreadable consistency that you then smash and mix into the tomatoes to create a sauce. Crumbled feta has added cellulose (anti-caking agents) and dries out instead of melting. Always buy a block of feta packed in brine — Greek or Bulgarian feta works best for the creamiest result.

What pasta shape is best for baked feta pasta?

Short, tube-shaped pastas that trap the creamy feta sauce inside are best: penne, rigatoni, cavatappi, or fusilli. Long pasta like spaghetti also works but does not hold the sauce as well. Whatever shape you choose, cook it al dente (slightly firm) since it will continue to soften when tossed with the hot sauce. Slightly undercooking the pasta gives the best final texture.

Can I make baked feta pasta ahead of time?

Baked feta pasta is best eaten immediately — the sauce thickens and the pasta absorbs it as it sits. If making ahead, store the baked feta and tomato sauce separately from the cooked pasta. Reheat the sauce with a splash of water or broth, then toss with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve. The baked feta sauce itself can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Is baked feta pasta actually Finnish?

Yes — the original recipe (called 'uunifetapasta' in Finnish) was created by Finnish food blogger Jenni Häyrinen in 2019. It went moderately viral in Finland, then exploded globally in January 2021 when it went viral on TikTok. The dish is so simple and so effective that it reportedly caused feta cheese shortages across several countries after the TikTok video went massively viral.

Baked Feta Pasta — The Original Viral TikTok Recipe

Name: Baked Feta Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 block (7–8oz) good-quality feta cheese (do not use crumbled); 2 cups (300g) cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes; 3–4 cloves garlic, smashed; 4 tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; Black pepper; 10oz (280g) pasta — penne, rigatoni, or pasta of choice; ½ cup pasta cooking water (reserved before draining); Large handful of fresh basil

About This Recipe

Baked feta pasta is the recipe that broke the internet in 2021 — a Finnish dish that went so viral on TikTok that it reportedly caused feta cheese shortages across the USA and Europe. And it deserved every bit of the hype. A whole block of feta cheese and cherry tomatoes are roasted together in olive oil until the feta is golden and creamy and the tomatoes are burst and caramelized. You smash everything together, toss it with pasta and fresh basil, and you have one of the most effortlessly impressive pasta dishes ever invented. The sauce is creamy, briny from the feta, sweet from the roasted tomatoes, and utterly addictive. The whole recipe takes 5 minutes of hands-on time.

Nutrition estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. Values are per serving and may vary.

Why You'll Love It

5 minutes of actual hands-on work — the oven does everything
No chopping, no stirring, no technique required
The sauce is creamy, salty, sweet, and garlicky all at once
Vegetarian, endlessly customizable — add spinach, olives, or protein

Baked Feta Pasta

5 min

Prep

35 min

Bake

40 min

Total

Servings

⭐ 4.9

Rating

445

Calories

Ingredients

1 block (7–8oz) feta cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3–4 cloves garlic, smashed
4 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp red pepper flakes
10oz pasta of choice
Fresh basil
Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1Preheat oven to 400°F.
2Add tomatoes + garlic to baking dish with oil.
3Place feta block in center. Drizzle with oil.
4Bake 30–35 min until golden and blistered.
5Cook pasta al dente. Reserve ½ cup water.
6Smash feta + tomatoes. Toss with pasta + basil.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Set up the baking dish
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pour the cherry tomatoes into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the smashed garlic cloves. Drizzle 3 tbsp of olive oil over everything. Season generously with red pepper flakes and black pepper. Toss to coat all the tomatoes in the oil.
2
Add the feta block to the center
Place the full block of feta cheese right in the center of the tomatoes — do not crumble it. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the top of the feta block. Add a grind of black pepper on top. The feta should be surrounded by tomatoes on all sides. Do not add salt — feta is already very salty and will season the entire dish as it bakes.
3
Bake until everything is golden and caramelized
Bake at 400°F for 30–35 minutes. The tomatoes should be completely blistered, burst open, and starting to caramelize at the edges. The feta should be golden on top and completely soft in the center — it should jiggle slightly when you shake the dish, like a soft cheesecake. This is exactly what you want. Do not underbake — raw-ish feta will not mash into a creamy sauce.
4
Cook the pasta while the feta bakes
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it heavily (it should taste like the sea). Cook your pasta until al dente — slightly firmer than you want to eat it, since it will soften more when tossed with the hot sauce. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of the cloudy, starchy pasta water. This pasta water is key to making the sauce glossy and coating the pasta perfectly.
5
Smash, toss, and serve
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork, smash the feta block and burst tomatoes together, stirring vigorously until they form a chunky, creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water and stir to loosen the sauce. Add the drained pasta to the dish and toss well until every piece is coated in the creamy feta-tomato sauce. Add a big handful of torn fresh basil, taste for salt, and serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

A block of feta packed in brine bakes into a creamy, smashable consistency. Crumbled feta contains anti-caking agents and dries out instead of melting. Always use a whole block — Bulgarian or Greek feta works best. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods carry it year-round.

Short tube shapes that trap the sauce inside are best — penne, rigatoni, cavatappi, or fusilli. Long pasta works but does not hold the chunky feta sauce as effectively. Cook al dente since the pasta continues to soften in the hot sauce.

Yes — grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage are the most popular additions. Add them directly to the baking dish with the tomatoes and feta, or cook separately and toss in at the end. Chickpeas roasted in the dish alongside the tomatoes make a great vegetarian protein addition.

Related Recipes

→ Pasta Carbonara — the authentic Roman recipe, no cream needed
→ One-Pot Pasta Primavera — 20 minutes, one pot, zero cleanup
→ Lasagna Soup — all the lasagna flavor in 30 minutes

Nutrition Per Serving

445

Calories

18g

Protein

55g

Carbs

18g

Fat

Fiber

Sugar

680mg

Sodium

410mg

Potassium

Nutrition estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. Values are per serving and may vary.

Baked Feta Pasta — The Original Viral TikTok Recipe

Baked Feta Pasta

Ingredients

Instructions

Set up the baking dish

Add the feta block to the center

Bake until everything is golden and caramelized

Cook the pasta while the feta bakes

Smash, toss, and serve