Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato and Feta Pasta Bake
A delightful pasta bake featuring a creamy tomato sauce, salty feta, and savory ground turkey.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Forget complicated casseroles – this Creamy Tomato and Feta Pasta Bake is your new go-to for a comforting, easy dinner. Inspired by the viral baked feta pasta, we’ve added ground turkey for a heartier meal and a creamy sauce that's utterly irresistible. It’s a dish that’s simple to assemble, bakes to perfection, and promises deliciousness in every forkful.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or orecchiette)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 block (8 oz) feta cheese, cut into cubes or crumbled
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package directions just until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey (or beef) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
Step 3
Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and stir in the cooked pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5
Nestle the cubed or crumbled feta cheese into the pasta mixture. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Step 6
Transfer the skillet (or pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish if your skillet isn't oven-safe) to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the feta is soft and slightly golden, and the sauce is bubbly.
Step 7
Remove from oven, let stand for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil (if using) and serve hot.
Tips
- A good quality feta cheese makes a big difference here; opt for block feta for best results.
- If you don't have fresh basil, a sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning in the sauce is also lovely.
- Don't overcook the pasta before baking, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
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