Description
Healthy Baked Feta Pasta with Vegetables is a light, Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines roasted vegetables, creamy baked feta, and whole grain pasta. It’s naturally vegetarian, easy to make, and bursting with flavor—perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 block feta cheese (about 7 oz)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz whole wheat or high-fiber pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a baking dish, combine cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and garlic.
- Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the dish.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until vegetables are roasted and feta is golden and soft.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.
- Once baked, mash the feta and tomatoes together gently to form a creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine, adding pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- If using spinach or kale, stir it in while the pasta is hot until wilted.
- Garnish with fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Use any mix of seasonal or favorite vegetables—broccoli, mushrooms, or eggplant are great choices.
- Add canned chickpeas or lentils for extra protein.
- Crumbled goat cheese can replace feta for a tangier flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to make it gluten-free.
- Top with grilled chicken or tofu for a heartier version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
