Baked Pumpkin & Feta Pasta

I have created my own spin on the famous TikTok feta pasta. This low effort but high reward pasta dish is simple but SO flavoursome. The baked feta pasta recipe is made by literally baking a block of feta nestled in between pumpkin, tomato, olive oil and seasoned with a red pesto seasoning. It creates a cheesy, creamy, tangy pumpkin tomato sauce. Stir through pasta and top with fresh basil for a super easy dinner all the family will enjoy.

Check out key hints & tips for the perfect dish.

Serves 4

Effort: Easy

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Gluten Free Option - see hints & tip

Ingredients

• 2 cups (1/4 small pumpkin) cubed

• 1 can diced tomato

• 2 tbsp pesto mix, spicetub

• 200g creamy feta

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 250g penne pasta

• Salt & Pepper

• Basil - to serve

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 200c/ 180c fan. Place cubed pumpkin, diced tomato into a baking dish with 1/4 cup olive oil.

2. Nestle feta block in the middle of the dish, drizzle with a little olive oil, sprinkle with pesto mix, season with salt & pepper.

3. Cook in the oven for 35 mins until the pumpkin is soft.

4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions (plan on adding the pasta to the boiling water 10 minutes before the feta and pumpkin are done). Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later.

5. Remove the dish from the oven and using a fork, press down on the feta cheese to break it down and make it creamy; then stir everything together until completely combined to create the sauce.

6. Add the pasta and toss to evenly coat with the sauce. For a creamier pasta (recommended), stir in desired amount of reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time until it reaches desired consistency (I use ½ cup).

7. Taste and season with salt & pepper. Optional - sprinkle on a little more pesto mix and/or chilli flakes if you like a little heat.

   Serve in a bowl with fresh basil (optional)

Hints & tips

Use the right feta: This is the number one cooking tip for success! A creamy feta such as Danish or Persian style are going to give the best result as they wont dry out as much in the oven.

Not a fan of feta cheese? If feta is too strong for you, try half feta and half cream cheese for a super creamy pasta. This pasta can also be made with 250g of cream cheese, goat’s cheese or ricotta cheese.

Pasta: Almost any pasta works with this creamy tomato feta sauce.

Make it gluten-free: The sauce is already gluten free, so serve it over gluten-free pasta or zoodles.

Serving size: This recipe will double or half easily depending on your family size.

Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This dish is not suitable for freezing.