Baked Feta Pasta

Ingredients

• 7 ozfeta, one whole block, not crumbled
• 1 1/8 lbcherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cupolive oil
• 3 clovesgarlic, peeled, left whole
• 12 1/4 ozdried pasta, short shapes
• 1/2 ozfresh basil, torn, to finish

Method

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 400°F. Tip the cherry tomatoes and the whole garlic cloves into a baking dish, sit the block of feta in the middle, and pour the olive oil over everything.

2. 2

   Bake for 35 minutes, until the tomatoes have collapsed and split and the feta is soft and browned at the edges.

3. 3

   With about 12 minutes left, cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water until al dente. Before you drain it, save a mugful of the cooking water.

4. 4

   Take the dish out and mash the feta, tomatoes and garlic together with a fork until it is one rough, creamy sauce.

5. 5

   Add the drained pasta to the dish and stir, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water until every piece is coated and the sauce moves. Tear the basil over the top.