I just heard about this in early March because I don’t have a TikTok. A friend who loves cooking and trying out something new as much as I do share it with me. When the word easy and lazy days came out of her mouth about this recipe, I decided to try it myself. Haha. I tried to look for where it came from since several people posted about this already, hence being viral, and I found this video from the blogger grilledcheesesocial.
It’s as simple as this: get a block of feta cheese, tomatoes, pasta, and herb and spices that you want to mix it with. The idea of it is basic, and I could not wait to try it. Off I went to the grocery for some feta cheese and cherry tomatoes. I only got tomatoes, as it seems like the trend has already reached the French shores, and the shelf was already empty of feta cheese. Still wanting to try it, I took a block of cheese from the Boursin brand instead.
I don’t have the exact recipe but simply the idea of how to make it. My friends and I were like that when we share recipes. The conversation will go like this:
“Girl, I tried this new recipe, and I think you’re going to like it. It’s just sautéing this and that, and OMG!
We just love to cook and eat. So after some fun conversations, I went for my instinct on making this. I bought a half kilo of cherry tomatoes, 1 block of cheese, and then I used 4 handful/servings of pasta. Any pasta will do. I have spaghetti and torti at home. Heated the oven at 400F/200C.
In a baking dish, place the washed tomatoes. Sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and other optional spices. Sometimes, I would put chili flakes, and a teaspoon of herbs de Provence (which traditionally includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaf). Drizzle with olive oil and mix. After that, place the cheese in the middle. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and some pinch of salt and pepper again. Put it in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes until the tomatoes start popping or breaking down. I also tried putting in some lardons, a small strip of fatty slices of bacon that can be easily found in French supermarkets in packs. You can buy bacon as an alternative and cut it into small pieces however you desired. I have seen some who added a bit of vegetable like bell peppers or asparagus. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you on how would you like to add some adventure to your baked pasta recipe.
After doing it the first time, I was happy about it that I decided to add it to my list of food that I can easily make whenever I feel lazy, or when I’m just too busy at work that at the end of the day, I’m just too tired to do anything but eat. I will just take those ingredients out of the pantry and pop them in the oven, and voila! Instant meal! My grocery list now added a block of cheese to it. 🙂 It is that easy to make!
What about you? Have you ever tried this? Did you have any suggestions on what else I may try to add next time in my baked pasta? 🙂 Sound off in the comments!
Wandering Pinay 