Baked Feta and Broccoli Pasta
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This Baked Feta and Broccoli Pasta was inspired by the viral baked feta pasta recipe. Instead of tomatoes and garlic I used broccoli and lemon to give this creamy pasta dish a fresh flavor.
Have you seen the viral baked feta pasta?
By now you have probably seen the viral baked feta pasta all over tiktok. It was started in Finland by Liemessa who shared it with the #uunifetapasta.
The baked feta pasta recipe was then popularized in the United States by Grilled Cheese Social and Feel Good Foodie. Their recipes looked SO good that I had to try it out.
The only problem was that I was out of tomatoes in the middle of a snow storm. I decided to try broccoli instead and the result was as delicious and cheesy broccoli pasta.
You can make the baked feta pasta with no tomato!
I know some people don’t like tomatoes OR cannot eat tomatoes. This broccoli and lemon baked feta pasta is PERFECT for you!
You can still enjoy the creamy and delicious baked feta pasta without the tomatoes. I paired the broccoli with some lemon zest, lemon juice and fresh basil to keep this recipe extra refreshing.
What kitchen tools will I need to make this broccoli pasta?
- Baking dish – I used a 9×13 ceramic baking dish
- Knife and cutting board for chopping broccoli
- Measuring spoons and liquid measuring cup
- Large pot for cooking pasta
What ingredients will I need to make this baked feta pasta?
Can I use crumbled feta for this baked feta pasta?
No, I recommend using the block of feta. If you cannot buy a block of feta you can also use an 8oz log of goat cheese or a ball of burratta in place of the feta.
How to make baked feta and broccoli pasta
Step 1: Prepare broccoli and feta
To begin, preheat oven to 400F. Cut broccoli florets into quarters and place in a baking dish. Drizzle 1/2 cup olive oil and salt and pepper over the broccoli.
Then, toss to coat the broccoli in the oil. Make a space for the brick of feta in the middle of the broccoli and place it there.
Drizzle more oil and black pepper on the top of the feta.
Step 2: Bake feta and broccoli
Then, bake the feta and broccoli in the oven at 400F for 35 minutes. While the feta and broccoli bakes, prepare a half a pound of pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water from the cooked pot of pasta.
Step 3: Toss pasta in creamy, cheese broccoli sauce
Finally, remove the feta and broccoli from the oven and immediately stir to combine. Add pasta water until the sauce is creamy.
Add the warm cooked pasta into the pan and stir again.
Finish the dish with the lemon juice, lemon zest and fresh basil. Stir once more to fully combine and serve.
Storage and reheating
This creamy baked feta pasta is best if enjoyed immediately, but you can also store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Check out these other delicious pasta recipes
- Creamy Meat Sauce One Pot Pasta
- Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
- Sun Dried Tomato and Turkey One Pot Pasta
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Baked Feta and Broccoli Pasta
My version of the viral baked feta pasta with broccoli and lemon
Ingredients
- 8oz pasta
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 8oz brick of feta
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Cut broccoli florets into quarters and place in a baking dish. Drizzle 1/2 cup olive oil and salt and pepper over the broccoli. Toss to coat the broccoli in the oil. Make a space for the brick of feta in the middle of the broccoli and place it there. Drizzle more oil and black pepper on the top of the feta.
- Bake in the oven at 400F for 35 minutes. While the feta and broccoli bakes, prepare a half a pound of pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water from the cooked pasta.
- Remove the feta and broccoli from the oven and immediately stir to combine. Pour in some of the pasta water until its your desired creaminess. Add the warm cooked pasta into the pan and stir again. Finish the dish with the lemon juice, lemon zest and fresh basil. Stir once more to fully combine and serve.
Carly Cox says
The original Tiktok pasta is heavy, but this was decedent yet light with the lemon and broccoli addition. Would make this again and again! Add extra pasta water depending on how creamy you like it. 10/10 recipe!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you!! the pasta water is SO smart.
Jackie says
This is exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t want tomatoes! Thank you, can’t wait to try this out!
Madeline says
yay!! thank you!
Joni says
This is incredible!!!! I honestly cannot get over how delicious this recipe is, especially with the added lemon at the end. This is absolutely going to be my regular dinner rotation from now on.
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay!! So glad!!
Lydia says
Made this tonight and it was delicious – a bit hit with everyone in the house. I don’t like tomatoes, so this was the ideal version for me!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wonderful!! thank you!!
Chantelle says
Can you make this recipe with frozen broccoli??
★★★★★
Madeline says
Yes! I would defrost and drain any excess moisture before baking so that it does not water the sauce down
Yvonne Barrot says
Could i used already baked broccoli in this recipe or fresh?
I’m dying to try this, looks AMAZING!!
Madeline says
I would recommend using fresh broccoli because I worry the already baked would get way too overcooked!
Lydia says
I don’t like tomatoes, so this version of the pasta is perfect for me. And this was so delicious. Will definitely make it again.
★★★★★
Nichole says
Loved this recipe so much! I’m a sucker for anything with lemon and this was a great pasta option, definitely will be a repeat!
★★★★★
Madeline says
same! thank you so much!!
Julie says
This recipe SO easy to throw together as a last minute meal. Exceeded my expectations on how delicious it was! I added bell peppers this time to get more veggies in. I’m sure you could add any vegetable to this and it would be excellent.
★★★★★
maryjane says
For sure! Thanks!
Alivia says
Absolutely delicious and easy to make!
★★★★★
Madeline says
great to hear ! thank you!
Jenn says
LOVED this. I was getting sick of broccoli but this made it fun again. Super delicious with minimal cleanup. We topped with chicken sausage but I think this would be perfect as-is, especially over a chickpea pasta (which we also used). Definitely going in the weeknight meal rotation!
★★★★★
Alden G says
So so good!! I accidentally forgot to save some of the pasta water to make it extra creamy, but it was still great! I topped it off with some air fried chicken breast
★★★★★
Kristin says
Came out really good and so easy to make. My only addition was Italian seasoning and garlic gloves.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Sounds great, Kristin!
Catherine says
easy and delicious!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay!! thank you!!
Lindsay says
I make this almost once a week. It’s such a good go to when I don’t feel like doing a lot of food prep but still want to make something filling/satisfying and nutritious. I get so many compliments anytime I make it for a crowd and it’s so easy. I just love this recipe.
★★★★★
Mary P says
Finally broke down and joined the feta pasta craze, only about a year late haha. This recipe comes together quickly and is full of flavor. I’ll definitely make it again!
★★★★★
Madeline says
ahahha LOVE it ! thank you!
Ellen says
Wow, this was absolutely delicious. Even better the next day! I made it with a Trader Joe’s salad kit and bread – can’t get any easier than that. I will definitely be making this again!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing! thank you!
Channah says
So good! My husband likes his feta chunks so I only used a little bit of the pasta water.
★★★★★
Madeline says
thanks Channah!
Barbara says
Only ONE cup of pasta? Is this right?
Madeline says
it says 8oz of pasta in the recipe card. that will be quite a bit more than 1 cup.
Melinda says
Excellent! We took the leftover, added leftover roast veg popped it in the oven with a crumb topping (panko,butter, pinch garlic powder) and it was delicious!
★★★★★
Madeline says
That sounds delicious! Thanks, Melinda!
Carrie says
Absolutely delicious! I added 2 cloves of minced garlic to the broccoli when roasting. Great flavor all around! On the rotation
★★★★★
Madeline says
Yum! Thanks, Carrie!
Laura says
Can tomatoes be added?
Madeline says
Yes!
Pat Damiano says
absolutely delicious!
Madeline says
So glad to hear it!
Lauren P says
We make this recipe all the time! I usually cook up a skillet of sliced chicken with Italian seasonings and stir it in with the broccoli and feta right before adding the pasta. I also use gluten free pasta! It’s a family favourite! Thanks Madeline!
★★★★★
Madeline says
So great to hear. Thanks, Lauren!
Nicole Spencer says
This was great! I added garlic & Italian seasoning and used crumbled feta because that is what my husband bought at the store and I didn’t have time to run back out. It still worked and tasted delish! I’ll use the brick next time and I’m sure it will be even better, but the crumbled did work in a pinch!
Madeline says
YAY! Thanks, Nicole!
Adrie van Dyk says
So easy to make. Ready in under an hour and oh so tasty! This will become a favourite with my friends.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Fantastic! It is a great dish to share with friends. Glad you like it!