Baked Feta Honey Chili (Printable)

A creamy baked feta dish with roasted tomatoes, honey, chili, and fresh basil for a balanced flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese & Dairy

01 - 7 oz block feta cheese

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 lb cherry tomatoes
03 - 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

→ Oils & Acids

05 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes, plus extra for garnish
08 - Kosher salt, to taste
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes & Sweeteners

10 - 2 tbsp honey
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
12 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, torn

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Place cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Add chopped garlic, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, oregano, and half the red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
03 - Nestle the block of feta in the center of the tomatoes. Drizzle with additional olive oil and sprinkle with remaining red pepper flakes.
04 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until tomatoes burst and feta turns golden and slightly melted.
05 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
06 - Remove the baking dish from the oven. Drizzle honey over the feta and tomatoes, then scatter lemon zest on top.
07 - Stir the feta and tomatoes gently until a creamy sauce develops. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as necessary for a smooth consistency.
08 - Serve immediately garnished with torn basil leaves and additional chili flakes as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels fancy but requires almost no effort, just toss and bake while you do other things.
  • The honey and chili balance is addictive, sweet heat that keeps you reaching for another bite.
  • One dish does all the work, meaning less cleanup and more time at the table.
02 -
  • Don't drain your pasta completely dry, that starchy water is what makes the sauce cling and turns it glossy instead of clumpy.
  • Wait until after baking to add the honey or it can burn and turn bitter instead of sweet.
  • Use a block of feta, not pre-crumbled, or you'll end up with a grainy mess instead of a creamy sauce.
03 -
  • Roast the tomatoes a few minutes longer if you like them deeply caramelized, it adds a smoky sweetness that's worth the wait.
  • Toss the hot pasta with a little olive oil before adding it to the sauce so it doesn't stick together while you're stirring.
  • Taste the sauce before serving and adjust with more honey, chili, or lemon zest depending on your mood.
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