Tips for making a Creamy Gluten Free Baked Feta Pasta Recipe – TikTok Feta Pasta is really a thing! A Finland blogger published the recipe in 2019. She knew it would be popular, but had no idea it would be an international sensation with 600 million views on TikTok. While it is delicious, depending upon how you make it, depends upon the results. Here are a few tips, which will result in perfection.
Recommended Brand of Feta Cheese
Valbreso® Feta from France made with 100% Pure Sheep’s Milk is the feta cheese with a content that is high in fat. Their cheese is made from the same milk that makes up Roquefort, which provides their unique flavor and richness.
Besides its creaminess, Valbreaso® feta has no aftertaste, just a tangy, delicate taste with a a little saltiness. It really has that melt-in-your-mouth texture yet it’s firm.
Do not use their lower in fat variety. Low-fat or crumbled feta will not melt nor turn out creamy.
When using other brands, they may release too much water. In this case, use less pasta water.
High Smoke Point Oils
Learn the smoke point of oils. Check out the Wikipedia article on Smoke Points. Just be sure to chose an oil with a neutral flavor. Peanut oil would not be appropriate for this recipe.
Gluten Free Feta Pasta – TikTok Sensation
Learn the key to making gluten free feta pasta with a creamy texture, like it should be. Also, learn the brand of feta to use. You'll then learn why this easy recipe went viral on TikTok.
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup neutral-flavored high smoke point oil* plus more for the dish (avocado) (no less than 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 8 ounces French Feta Cheese (Valbreaso)
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta of choice (Jovial) spaghetti, penne, elbow, etc.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F; oil a large baking dish. Using a large baking dish avoids overcrowding of the cherry tomatoes. (Give them room to pop open, which allows them to caramelize.)
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Add the tomatoes to the prepared dish and drizzle the oil over them. (Too little oil results in dry pasta and too much results in a pool of grease.)
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Add the block of feta cheese on top, in the center; bake for 40 minutes. (Try to avoid under-baking.) If the cheese is not thoroughly melted, you may place it under a broiler for up to 5 minutes. Make sure to keep it about 6 – 8 inches away from the heat element.
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While the feta and tomato cooks, bring your water to a boil, add a splash of oil and the pasta; stir occasionally. Cook long enough to reach your desired tenderness, but realize that the pasta will continue to cook a little more once combined with the hot cheese and tomato mixture.
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Drain the pasta, but reserve 1/2 cup of hot pasta water; rinse pasta with room temperature water; set both aside.
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Once the cheese and tomatoes bake, add the pasta and pasta water; stir until creamy. Garnish with basil or parsley and more cheese. Plate, add additional cheese if desired and serve immediately.
Tips
*Use an oil that can withstand 400°F temperature like avocado, canola if you must.
