I got on the viral TikTok trend that makes a weeknight meal so SIMPLE, FUN and it's another opportunity to connect with the youth living under your roof. I tried the recipe with FETA first and then with BURRATA. My first thought, why hasn't any done this before now? The dish was so good both ways, I mean how could it not be good? A complete hands-off dish, where all the magic happens in the oven. So flavorful, with bursting cherry tomatoes!
The feta bake was creamy with a slight tang. Lip smacking good! I used the Barilla Bucatini pasta which is similar to spaghetti, and I added some string beans and mushrooms to this bake.
With the burrata, I varied the color of the cherry tomatoes and added a pint of campari tomatoes using the Barilla Cellentani. The grocery store was out of fresh basil, so I had to buy basil paste, you know the one by Gourmet Garden? The stir in paste. I think it actually helped to make the burrata version, creamier. I added it to the tomatoes before they went into the oven. I also did not put the burrata in the oven. I warmed it up on the counter and added it to the tomatoes after they were baked!
Personally, I loved making this dish both ways!
So simple, different, yet so delicious! For all the busy families out there, get on this trend, you won't regret it.
Michy's Feta or Burrata Pasta Bake
Ingredients
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes (I varied with a pint of campari tomatoes)
3 garlic cloves, smashed
8 ounce block of Feta cheese OR an 8 ounce BelGioioso Burrata (2/4 ouce)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup basil and more for serving
1/4 cup parsley and more for serving
a box of your favorite pasta
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the cherry tomatoes in an oven-safe baking dish/pan. Pour the olive oil on top, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.
FETA: Place the feta block in the middle of the baking dish surrounded by the cherry tomatoes, and flip a couple times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning. BURRATA: Place the burrata balls in a bowl on your counter with warm water.
Bake for 35 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes burst, and the feta cheese melts.
While the tomatoes are baking, cook the pasta in a pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid in case you'd like to toss it in.
Immediately add the garlic and basil leaves to the cooked tomatoes and feta and toss everything to combine.
Transfer the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Garnish with more fresh basil and serve warm.
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