Remember when Baked Feta Pasta was one of the most viral foodie trends out there?

Well, it took me a while, but once I finally got around to trying it last year, I totally understood the hype. I mean, ya kinda had me at feta + pasta.

It’s so easy to make and incredibly delicious, it didn’t take more than one bite to see why everyone was so obsessed. Since it’s become such a staple in our house, I decided it needed a permanent spot on the blog.

And if somehow you have never heard of this mind-blowing pasta, then you are in for a treat, let me tell you!

THE VIRAL BAKED FETA PASTA WITH AN RGE TWIST

Cooking and creating easy, nutrient-rich and delish meals is one of my favorite things to do, but sometimes a girl just wants to cook for fun – no recipe testing necessary.

And that’s exactly what this Baked Feta Pasta was for me: a fun, quick and easy, foolproof dish.

But just because it was easy, doesn’t mean it was at all lacking in taste. Because it was so good, like I said, it very quickly earned a highly coveted spot in mine & Bridge’s dinner rotation.

Made with just a few simple ingredients – feta + pasta (obviously, lol), cherry tomatoes, garlic, spinach, EVOO, salt and pepper – it’s easy to see why this viral trend took over the internet for a brief moment in time.

But I of course had to put the RGE twist on it. The only addition this pasta really needed was some protein to balance it out. So I added in some shredded, organic chicken, and I have no other words than YUM.

A PERFECT PASTA DISH

Let’s be serious, who doesn’t love a cheesy pasta dish?

Do yourself a favor and grab all of the ingredients, and see what the hype is all about. You won’t be disappointed!

This Baked Feta Pasta seriously is a perfect meal to make if you’ve been feeling uninspired in the kitchen, need something quick & easy, or want to impress a crowd. It’s cheesy in the best way possible, filled with the best salty, sweet and garlicky flavor, and just so good.

Now that we’re talking about it, I think I know what’s for dinner tonight…

Oh, and don’t forget to let me know what you think or share any variations you make in the comment section below. Hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Garlic cloves
• Feta cheese (blocks)
• Sea salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Spinach
• Fresh basil
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Pasta (I used Jovial Foods gluten-free penne)
• Avocado oil
• Organic chicken breasts

HOW TO MAKE BAKED FETA PASTA

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a 9×12 baking dish, add tomatoes, garlic, feta, olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes.

While the feta bakes, prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box. Set aside.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add avocado oil. Tenderize the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear in the skillet until golden and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).

Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred with 2 forks. Set aside.

When the baked feta comes out of the oven, immediately mix and combine well.

Add the cooked pasta, chicken, spinach and basil, and mix again.

Top with pepper and fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!

Note: This pasta dish is best enjoyed right away, but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days.

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

Like I did with the already existing recipe of this Baked Feta Pasta, feel free to put your own spin on it!

I’ve seen variations where shallots are added to the baking dish with the tomatoes, feta and garlic. Some also add rosemary or thyme sprigs to the baking dish to add extra flavor. Use whichever pasta shape you’d like – penne, fusilli, macaroni – whatever your heart desires. You could also even swap the feta for goat cheese or brie. This is one of those fun recipes where you can get creative and play around with what you like.

WHAT IF I ONLY HAVE CRUMBLED FETA?

If you only have crumbled feta instead of blocks of feta, that’s ok! Just make sure the crumbles are all packed closely together in the middle of the baking dish. Alternatively, like I mentioned above, you could even try this recipe with goat cheese or brie instead.

MY BAKED FETA PASTA IS TOO DRY. HOW CAN I FIX THAT?

Don’t worry if you find that the dish came out a little dry. There’s an easy fix for that! To make it creamier, simply add some pasta water and stir it up. Start small, stir, and add more pasta water if needed until you reach your desired level of creaminess.

LOVE THIS BAKED FETA PASTA? HERE ARE MORE PASTA AND PROTEIN-BASED DISHES TO TRY:

Crockpot Chicken Bolognese

Herby Pasta Salad With Protein

Spicy Penne Alla Vodka WIth Meatballs

Protein-Packed Beef & Zucchini Lasagna

Gluten-Free Chicken Milanese With Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂