Baked Feta Pasta Cranberries (Print)

Creamy pasta with baked feta, fresh cranberries, honey, and herbs for a sweet-tart finish.

# Components:

→ Dairy & Cheese

01 - 7 oz block feta cheese

→ Vegetables & Fruits

02 - 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
03 - 1 cup fresh cranberries
04 - 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

→ Pasta

05 - 10 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Oils & Seasonings

06 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sweetener

10 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Herbs

11 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped plus extra for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F to preheat.
02 - Place the feta block centrally in a baking dish and arrange cherry tomatoes, cranberries, and smashed garlic cloves around it.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the feta and surrounding ingredients; season with oregano, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until feta is golden and cranberries have burst.
05 - While baking, cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
06 - Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently mash the feta, tomatoes, and cranberries with a fork to create a creamy sauce.
07 - Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, honey, and chopped basil to the baking dish. Toss thoroughly to combine into a creamy consistency.
08 - Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with additional basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta becomes impossibly creamy when roasted, creating a luxurious sauce with almost zero effort.
  • Cranberries add a surprise pop of tart sweetness that feels elegant but tastes like comfort food.
  • It's ready in 40 minutes flat, making it perfect for weeknight dinners that feel special.
02 -
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water—it's what transforms mashed cheese and roasted vegetables into an actual sauce that coats the pasta.
  • Roasting feta in one block (not crumbled) is crucial; it holds together long enough to develop that creamy interior and golden exterior.
  • Fresh cranberries are tart enough to balance the honey and creamy feta, but if you substitute dried cranberries, soak them first and use less honey to avoid cloying sweetness.
03 -
  • Keep your feta block cold until the last moment—it will hold its shape better in the oven and create that coveted golden crust.
  • Don't be shy with the pasta water; it's not cheating, it's how professional kitchens build silky sauces that actually coat every piece.
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