Save A vibrant oven-baked pasta packed with Mediterranean flavors featuring roasted garlic fresh herbs sun-dried tomatoes and creamy feta A comforting vegetarian dish perfect for weeknights or entertaining
I first served this Mediterranean Baked Garlic & Herb Pasta to my family on a busy weeknight and it quickly became a household favorite
Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g (12 oz) penne or rigatoni 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt for boiling
- Vegetables & Aromatics: 1 medium red onion finely chopped 3 cloves garlic minced 1 red bell pepper diced 100 g (3.5 oz) sun-dried tomatoes drained and sliced 100 g (3.5 oz) baby spinach
- Sauce & Cheese: 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 150 g (5 oz) feta cheese crumbled 50 g (2 oz) grated Parmesan cheese Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Grease a large baking dish
- Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil Cook pasta until just al dente (about 2 minutes less than package instructions) Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sauté Vegetables:
- While pasta cooks heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat Sauté onion for 3 minutes until softened Add garlic bell pepper and sun-dried tomatoes cook for 2 3 minutes more
- Simmer Sauce:
- Stir in chopped tomatoes oregano basil chili flakes and season with salt and pepper Simmer for 5 minutes
- Cook Spinach:
- Add spinach and cook until wilted about 1 minute
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Combine the drained pasta with the sauce and half the feta in a large bowl Mix well
- Assemble Dish:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish Top with remaining feta and Parmesan
- Bake:
- Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling
- Rest and Garnish:
- Let rest for 5 minutes Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve with lemon wedges if desired
Save This recipe always brings my family together especially when we share stories around the dinner table after a busy day
Required Tools
Large pot Skillet Baking dish Mixing bowl Knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) milk (feta Parmesan) Check cheese labels for vegetarian suitability if needed
Nutritional Information
Calories 480 Total Fat 17 g Carbohydrates 59 g Protein 18 g per serving
Save This Mediterranean pasta is a perfect balance of flavors and textures sure to impress any guest
Common recipe questions
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Penne or rigatoni are ideal as their shape holds the sauce well during baking.
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it a few hours before baking and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
- → How can I add protein to this meal?
Consider adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or plant-based alternatives for extra protein.
- → Is it possible to make this dish vegan?
Use plant-based cheese substitutes in place of feta and Parmesan to keep the flavors while making it vegan-friendly.
- → What herbs complement the flavors best?
Fresh parsley or basil enhances the Mediterranean profile when sprinkled just before serving.