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Honey Baked Feta Pasta with Harissa

An easy, quick and tasty dish of creamy cheese and cherry tomatoes over pasta

Course Main Course
Cuisine Finnish
Keyword cherry tomatoes, feta, pasta
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 5 small shallots peeled and sliced into thick rings or quarters
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2-1 tsp harissa powder blend depending on heat tolerance level Can use a blend of smoked paprika and chilli flakes if you don't have harissa.
  • 2-3 thyme sprigs
  • 1 block feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp runny honey
  • 2 medium garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Prepared pasta for four reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water (approx 2 oz per person)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425F.
  2. Place the tomatoes and shallots into a baking dish that is just large enough to hold everything in one layer, with room for the feta cheese. Drizzle the olive oil over them. Add the salt, pepper, harissa and thyme, and toss to to coat well. Make a space in the middle of the baking dish to place the feta cheese. Drizzle the honey over everything.
  3. Bake in the oven until the tomatoes are aromatic and starting to burst, and the cheese is softened and creamy, about 30 minutes, depending on your oven. Half way through the baking, add the garlic, sprinkling it evenly over it all.
  4. Remove from the oven and use a fork or tongs to start breaking up the feta, crumbling it and incorporating it into the tomatoes and the the juices mixed in with the olive oil. Break up some of the tomatoes as well (just watch out for projectile juices!) Add in the parsley. Taste and see if extra salt is warranted.
  5. While the feta is baking prepare your pasta according to the package directions, draining and reserving some of the pasta water. Toss in the drained cooked pasta and combine well. If you find that the consistency is a little thick, feel free to add in some of the reserved pasta water.
  6. Serve with extra parsley and parm if desired.

Recipe Notes

Add a can of drained chickpeas to the dish before baking, for more protein and fibre.
Feel free to use less tomatoes and a smaller baking dish to create a fabulous appetizer. Add chopped olives, and herbs of choice and bake up a great dip for breadsticks or crostini.