I did it. Last week, I made the pasta that everyone can't stop talking about these days: the famous "Tik Tok feta cheese pasta". Thanks to the multiple tutorials I watched and the helpful recipe published on Good Morning America online, I decided to finally take on the challenge of cooking this viral sensation.
Before I got the chance to make it, I couldn't help but wonder: what's the big deal about this? Why feta cheese pasta of all things?
After successfully whipping up a fabulous dinner, I realized the truth is... this dish is just so damn easy to make. I was absolutely shocked when I found out how simple this recipe is: it only requires 6 basic ingredients. I'm the worst chef that I know and I'm sure even Gordon Ramsay couldn't judge my ability to make this delectable dish.
When I went to my local grocery store I grabbed the following ingredients as called for by the basic recipe:
1 box of pasta (any type)
1 box of cherry tomatoes
1 block of feta cheese (non-dairy substitute can be used)
1 clove of garlic
3-4 basil leaves
1 jar of oregano
You'll also need kitchen staples such as olive oil, black pepper and salt. Another positive about this recipe is how quickly it can be made. It calls for about 15 minutes of prep time and 30-40 minutes of actual cooking time. Gourmet pasta dinner in less than an hour? Count me in!
Making Your Feta Cheese Pasta
You'll need a glass baking dish and a pot to boil your pasta in. You should start first by setting your oven to 415 F. As your oven heats up, drizzle the bottom of your baking dish with olive oil. Empty the box of cherry tomatoes into the baking dish and roll them around until they are evenly coated. Then place your block of feta cheese right in the middle of the dish amongst all the tomatoes. Here's where things get a little spicy.
I added a tablespoon of salt, black pepper, oregano and italian seasoning, and sprinkled them all evenly on top of the tomatoes and feta cheese. You'll want to spread and coat everything so it'll all cook nicely together in the oven. The recipe on Good Morning America also called for lemon zest and here's where I messed up:
I took the bottle of lemon juice that was in my fridge and squeezed out a generous amount into my baking dish - it didn't even cross my mind that lemon zest and juice were two different things! Let's just say that my feta cheese pasta turned out a bit more aromatic than intended...
After adding a little bit of lemon zest to your dish (when you do it the right way) put your baking dish into the oven for 30-40 minutes until the tomatoes have roasted and the feta cheese has softened.
While you wait for your homemade delight in the oven, use the spare time that you have to boil your pasta. I usually like to add a little bit of olive oil and salt to my water before I bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and let it boil in the water for 15 minutes (12 if you like it al dente) and strain in a colander and put it to the side.
After taking your baking dish out of the oven, use a fork or spoon to mash the cherry tomatoes and feta cheese mixture into a saucy consistency. Finely chop your basil and garnish as desired. Plate your feta cheese pasta and feel free to give yourself a pat on the back for making the dish of the moment.
Here's how mine turned out:
Not bad for an amateur! Looks aside, this pasta tasted truly incredible. The feta cheese and lemon zest brings a tanginess to the Mediterranean flavor of the olive oil roasted tomato sauce while the aroma of fresh basil and herbs transports you the fields of Tuscany in Italy (I might be dramatic here but I'm also a foodie). I personally enjoyed the experience of making this online favorite. It felt amazing to be part of a community of people around the world that experimented by cooking a meal that one creative person decided to share with us.
It's safe to say that I'll be making this one again. Buon appetito!
F.S x