Experience a burst of flavors with this popular baked feta pasta. With ripe cherry tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and creamy feta that transforms into a tangy sauce, this vegetarian delight comes together effortlessly in the Instant Pot. A scrumptious fusion of textures, every bite is comforting and utterly satisfying.

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I recently tried this Instant Pot Baked Feta Pasta recipe that totally blew my mind. I always use 8 oz of my favorite penne pasta with a 7 oz block of feta cheese that melts perfectly into a creamy sauce when combined with a pint of halved cherry tomatoes.

I add 4 garlic cloves for that kick, along with 2 tablespoons olive oil. I mix in 1 cup of vegetable broth, a dash of 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes and season it with salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe is an easy, healthy pot recipe that brings together a classic Tik Tok Baked Feta Pasta vibe with a rich, nutritious tomato and feta twist. Despite being healthy, it packs plenty of flavor so its great for a filling weeknight vegetarian meal.

I usually finish it off with a sprinkling of fresh basil leaves and it tastes amazing every time. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish that’s both refreshing and satisfying.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a few reasons:

1. I really dig how the creamy, tangy feta slowly melts into a sauce that perfectly blends with the fresh, juicy tomatoes and garlic.
2. I appreciate how quick and easy it is to whip up in my Instant Pot – it always saves me time on busy weeknights.
3. I enjoy that it feels like a healthy, comforting meal since it uses simple veggies and wholesome ingredients.
4. I also like that there’s this fun little mix of textures – soft pasta with bursts of tomato tenderness makes every bite interesting.

This baked feta pasta is like the ultimate weeknight fix, i mean its super easy and perfect when you don’t have much time to cook. I love that i can just chuck everything into my Instant Pot and get a yummy vegetarian meal in no time. Plus, it just tastes great even though it’s a really simple recipe, which is cool cause not every meal has to be fancy.

Ingredients

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Pasta: Packed with carbs to fuel energy and create a filling base its versatile.
Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty and rich in protein and healthy fats.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and tart with vitamins and antioxidants bursting flavor.
Garlic: Minced for bold aroma that boosts flavor and supports immunity.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin oil offering healthy fats and rich Mediterranean taste.
Vegetable Broth: Light liquid that moistens pasta and adds subtle seasoning.
Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch providing a fiery kick without overpowering overall taste.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that balance all flavors just right.
Fresh Basil: Adds a burst of herbal flavor with extra vitamins.

Ingredient Quantities

8 oz pasta (penne or any type you like)

7 oz block of feta cheese

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

4 garlic cloves, roughly minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup vegetable broth or water

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Set your Instant Pot to Saute and warm up the olive oil. Toss in the roughly minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it starts to soften.

2. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pot along with the red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and a bit of black pepper. Stir a little so they get coated with the garlic and oil.

3. Nestle the 7 oz block of feta cheese right in the center of the tomatoes. Try not to break it up yet.

4. Evenly distribute the 8 oz of pasta (penne or your favorite type) around the feta block, making sure it touches the tomato mix.

5. Pour in the 1 cup of vegetable broth (or water) so the pasta is mostly submerged, but be careful not to cover the feta completely.

6. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes. Make sure the steam release valve is set to sealing.

7. When the timer dings, use a quick release method to let the pressure out. Open the pot carefully.

8. Give everything a stir! The feta should crumble slowly into the cooking tomatoes and broth, creating a creamy, tangy sauce. If you want, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot with Saute mode
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp knife
4. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
5. Stirring spoon or spatula
6. Instant Pot lid
7. Serving bowl or plates

FAQ

Q: Can I use other types of pasta?

Yeah, you sure can. Any pasta shape works, but keep in mind the cooking time might change a little.

Q: What if I dont have an Instant Pot?

No worries, you can bake the feta and tomatoes in a regular oven. Just preheat to 400°F and cook until it’s bubbly.

Q: Can I substitute the vegetable broth for water?

Absolutely, water works just fine though you might miss out on some extra flavor that broth gives.

Q: How can I adjust the spice level?

You can add more red pepper flakes if you like it extra spicy or cut back if you prefer a milder taste.

Q: How should I store leftovers?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, then reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Instant Pot Baked Feta Pasta Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try using goat cheese in place of feta cheese if you want a creamier, tangy twist.
Chicken broth can swap out for vegetable broth if you’re not keeping it vegetarian.
If you dont have cherry tomatoes, diced regular tomatoes work well too but might need a bit more cooking time.
Use a pinch of cayenne pepper instead of red pepper flakes for a slightly different heat.
Avocado oil or even a little melted butter can replace olive oil for a richer flavor.

Pro Tips

1. When you’re sautéeing the garlic, keep an eye on it so it doesnt burn, because burnt garlic makes your dish taste kinda bitter. A light golden color is perfect.

2. After you do the pressure cook and stir everything up, let it sit for a few minutes. This extra rest time helps the sauce thicken up nice and the pasta to soak in more flavor.

3. If you like a little extra kick, try adding more red pepper flakes or even a pinch of your fave dried herbs while cooking. It really brings out the tomatoes and cheese flavors.

4. Lastly, while stirring at the end, be gentle with the feta so you still get those delicious creamy chunks. Over stirring can turn it into a complete sauce, and you might miss out on the texture contrast.

Instant Pot Baked Feta Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

405

kcal

Equipment: 1. Instant Pot with Saute mode
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp knife
4. Measuring cups and measuring spoons
5. Stirring spoon or spatula
6. Instant Pot lid
7. Serving bowl or plates

Ingredients

8 oz pasta (penne or any type you like)
7 oz block of feta cheese
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4 garlic cloves, roughly minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup vegetable broth or water
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions

Set your Instant Pot to Saute and warm up the olive oil. Toss in the roughly minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it starts to soften.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pot along with the red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and a bit of black pepper. Stir a little so they get coated with the garlic and oil.
Nestle the 7 oz block of feta cheese right in the center of the tomatoes. Try not to break it up yet.
Evenly distribute the 8 oz of pasta (penne or your favorite type) around the feta block, making sure it touches the tomato mix.
Pour in the 1 cup of vegetable broth (or water) so the pasta is mostly submerged, but be careful not to cover the feta completely.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes. Make sure the steam release valve is set to sealing.
When the timer dings, use a quick release method to let the pressure out. Open the pot carefully.
Give everything a stir! The feta should crumble slowly into the cooking tomatoes and broth, creating a creamy, tangy sauce. If you want, garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.