# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese & Dairy
01 - 7 oz feta cheese block
02 - 2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 lb cherry tomatoes, mixed colors preferred
04 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
06 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
→ Pantry
07 - 12 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or rigatoni)
08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to make it:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
02 - Place the feta block in the center of an oven-safe baking dish and surround it with cherry tomatoes, sliced garlic, and optional red onion.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the feta and vegetables, then sprinkle with dried oregano, optional red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta develops golden edges.
05 - While baking, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water per package instructions; reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water before draining.
06 - Remove baking dish, then gently mash feta with tomatoes and garlic using a large spoon until creamy.
07 - Add hot pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water gradually for a smooth consistency.
08 - Serve immediately with a generous topping of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
