Pasta al forno con feta (pasta di TikTok)

Ingredienti

• 2 pints (20 oz) grape tomatoes
• 5 medium garlic cloves, (peeled and halved)
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt (and freshly ground black pepper)
• 7 - 8 oz. block feta cheese ((sheep's milk variety, such as Murray's), drained)
• 10 oz. dry pasta (such as campanelle, rigatoni, rotini, penne, bow tie, or cavatappi)
• 8 oz. spinach, (roughly chopped (8 packed cups))
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
• 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, (or more to taste)
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Preparazione

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. 2

   Add grape tomatoes and garlic to a 3 quart baking dish. Toss with olive oil and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Place feta in the center of tomatoes, turn to coat with oil.

3. 3

   Bake in center of preheated oven for 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Then remove the baking dish, raise oven rack up to upper 1/3 of the oven. Return baking dish to oven and increase oven to 450 degrees. Bake until tomatoes and cheese are starting to brown slightly, about 10 minutes longer.

5. 5

   Meanwhile boil pasta to al dente in salted water (I use 1 Tbsp salt and about 3 or 4 quarts of water), according to time listed on pasta package.

6. 6

   Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and right before draining pour and submerge spinach in with the pasta (it should wilt almost instantly). Drain pasta and spinach.

7. 7

   Smash the tomatoes, garlic, oil and feta together with the back of a wooden spoon. Toss pasta in with mixture along with basil, parsley and red pepper flakes.

8. 8

   Thin mixture with a few tablespoons of pasta water at a time to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.