Description
This high‑protein Baked Feta Pasta with Hidden Veggies is a healthy, creamy, and delicious twist on the viral dish—loaded with roasted feta and cherry tomatoes, blended with cottage cheese and added veggies, then tossed with pasta for a comforting yet nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 block feta cheese (≈200 g, preferably high‑protein type)
- 500 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 large red capsicum (bell pepper)
- 1 head garlic
- ½ Tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Mixed Italian herbs, to taste
- Chili flakes, to taste
- 150 g cottage cheese (high‑protein, lower fat)
- 300 g dried pasta (normal or high‑protein; e.g., rigatoni)
- Fresh or semi‑dried parsley or basil, for serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 °C (fan‑forced). In a large baking dish, place the cherry tomatoes, the whole garlic head (trim root), the chopped red capsicum, and the block of feta. Drizzle with ½ Tbsp olive oil and season with salt, pepper, Italian herbs and chili flakes.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes or until the tomatoes blister, the capsicum is soft, and the feta is golden and soft.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about ¼ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Once roasting is done, squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their skins and transfer everything (tomatoes + capsicum + feta + juices) into a high‑speed blender. Add the cottage cheese and reserved pasta water. Blend until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a serving dish, pour the sauce over, and stir to combine. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve the desired glossy, creamy consistency.
- Top with fresh basil or parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe is inspired by the viral baked feta pasta trend—where a block of feta and cherry tomatoes are roasted and turned into a sauce. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- For hidden veggies, the red capsicum blends seamlessly into the sauce. You can swap in zucchini or carrots for variety.
- Choose a high‑protein cottage cheese and optionally use protein‑enriched pasta to boost the protein content.
- Use good quality olive oil and ripe cherry tomatoes—since the dish is simple, ingredient quality shines.
- Keep the reserved pasta water — it helps loosen the sauce and bind everything together smoothly.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 40‑45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Pasta
- Method: Bake and Blend
- Cuisine: Modern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4
- Calories: Approx 520 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
