Food April 10, 2021

Try New York Times Cooking's take on roasted tomatoes and cheese pasta

WATCH: You won't believe these colorful pasta creations are real

The roasted tomato and feta cheese TikTok trend may be in the rearview, but this one-pan pasta inspired by the viral sensation is a delicious adaptation.

New York Times food columnist Melissa Clark joined "Good Morning America" to share her streamlined version of a recipe first made popular by Finnish blogger Jenni Hayrinen.

One-pan feta pasta with cherry tomatoes

Beatriz Da Costa for The New York Times. Food Styling: Rebecca Jurkevich.
A one-pan pasta with roasted tomatoes, herbs and feta cheese.

Ingredients

2 pints cherry tomatoes

5 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole

5 thyme sprigs

2 rosemary sprigs

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

8 ounces feta

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving

Pinch of red-pepper flakes

12 ounces short pasta, such as farfalle, campanelle, rotini or cavatappi

3 cups boiling water

1 cup torn basil leaves

Flaky sea salt, for serving

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a shallow 2-quart casserole or gratin dish, or an 11-by-7-inch baking dish, combine tomatoes, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Toss with 1/4 cup of the olive oil to coat. Place the feta in the middle of the dish, and top with the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle the black pepper and red-pepper flakes over everything. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and the tomatoes have burst their skins.

Add the pasta to the pan in an even layer and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pour the boiling water on top. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, carefully submerge pasta. Cover tightly with foil and bake until pasta is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Remove from oven and let the pasta stand, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb the excess liquid.

Stir in basil until everything is well incorporated, and the tomatoes and cheese create a creamy sauce. When serving, top with more black pepper, oil and flaky sea salt.

Recipe reprinted courtesy of New York Times Cooking and Melissa Clark.