Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
Hearty, filling, and made in one-pan, this vegan baked feta pasta is the weeknight dinner recipe you will want to make all summer long. This no-boil pasta bake is packed with vegan feta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and basil for a delicious dinner you can have on the table in under an hour!
What is Baked Feta Pasta?
This simple and hearty pasta dish started as a viral recipe posted on TikTok. The original recipe came from Jenni Hayrinen when her “uunifetapasta” video went viral in Finland.
After a few bloggers stateside tried it out, it went viral in America as well. For a while many grocery stores couldn’t keep blocks of feta on the shelf quick enough to meet the demand for this delicious and addictive pasta.
A quick Google search for Baked Feta Pasta will also result in some 83 million recipes (as of May 2024) and the variations on this simple baked pasta recipe are endless simply because it’s just that good.
The Recipe Testing Process for Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
I have been looking for a way to make baked feta pasta dairy-free and vegan for the last few years. My one main hold up has been access to a vegan feta block.
Recently I tried Follow Your Heart’s Vegan Feta Crumbles and figured I would give them a go in this baked feta recipe.
The first time I made baked feat pasta with the feta crumbles my heart sank. The feta crumbles simply melted in the process and you couldn’t get much in the way of a feta flavor.
On my second attempt at the recipe I decided to try Fed and Fit’s approach making it a one pan dish, no-boil needed. Again, the feta melted too much, lost it’s flavor and just simply fell flat.
I decided to step away from “baked feta” and went with a baked pasta with feta added at the end. By baking everything together first and then adding the feta at the end you are able to really taste the tangy goodness that the vegan feta has to offer.
Why We Love Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
As previously mentioned there is a good reason this baked feta dish went viral, it’s that good. Some of the reasons we love to make this no-boil vegan baked feta pasta include:
- One Pan Dinner. Simply dump and bake for a delicious, hearty, and filling meal.
- Loaded with Veggies. From the bright grape tomatoes to the tender spinach and fresh basil this is an explosion of summer vegetable flavors.
- Pairs well with everything! Serve this with a side of garlic bread, grilled chicken (non-vegan), or a fresh summer salad, this baked pasta compliments it all!
Vegan Changes to Baked Feta Pasta
There are two ingredients to keep in mind when you make this vegan baked feta pasta recipe.
- Vegan Feta Crumbles– I cannot stress this enough, these steps are written for feta crumbles not a block of vegan feta. Once I can get my hands on a block of vegan feta I will be sure to test and update as needed but for now, my local grocers only carry vegan feta crumbles.
- Vegetable Broth– Used to help bake the pasta in the pan. I like to use a low sodium vegetable broth.
How to Make Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Grape Tomatoes– Two pints of fresh grape tomatoes go into this baked pasta.
- Garlic– Grated on a microplane of minced.
- Olive Oil– Adds a little flavor in the cooking process.
- Salt + Pepper– For enhancing the flavor of this baked pasta dish.
- Vegetable Broth + Water- To help cook the pasta in the oven.
- Pasta– I like to use a medium sized pasta with a twist such as rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi.
- Spinach– Fresh works best in this dish and I like to trim the stems before mixing into the baked pasta.
- Vegan Feta– I used Follow Your Heart vegan feta crumbles for this recipe.
- Basil– Fresh basil for both the pasta and the garnish at the end.
Step-by-Step Directions for Vegan Baked Pasta with Feta and Tomatoes
- Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Add ingredients to pan: In a 9×13-inch pan pour grape tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, vegetable broth, water, and pasta.
- Stir + Cover: Stir together and cover the 9×13-inch pan with foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients: After 40 minutes, remove from oven and stir in vegan feta crumbles, spinach, and basil.
- Cook: Leave uncovered and cook 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve.
- Garnish: Add additional feta crumbles, basil, salt, or pepper as needed.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to make this one pan, no-boil pasta recipe, here are some helpful kitchen tools you might need along the way.
- Microplane– Used to grate the garlic cloves.
- 9×13-inch pan- You are going to want a deep 9×13-inch pan for all of the delicious goodness you are baking up.
- Pasta Bowls– Perfect for dishing out this delicious baked pasta recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Personally I will hug up to a bowl of this baked pasta with feta on the couch and call it a day but if you are looking for some ways to serve it up as a meal here are some vegan and non-vegan serving suggestions.
Vegan Sides to Serve with Baked Pasta with Feta
Non-Vegan Sides that Pair Well
Storing and Reheating Vegan Feta Pasta
Leftovers? No problem. Here are some simple tips for storing and reheating this vegan baked feta pasta.
- Storing– Allow the feta pasta to cool before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days after baking.
- Reheating– Simply scoop the desired amount out and place in a microwave safe bowl. Reheat in 30 second increments until heated to your desired level of warmth.
Vegan Pasta Recipes to Make Next
If you tried this vegan baked feta pasta recipe please let me know in the comments below!
You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!
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Vegan Baked Feta Pasta
This simple one pan vegan baked feta pasta recipe is a quick and easy no-boil summer dinner you can whip up in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 pints Grape Tomatoes
- 4 cloves Garlic minced or grated
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth low sodium
- 1 cup Water
- 12 ounces Pasta
- 8 ounces Vegan Feta Crumbles
- 2 cups Spinach
- ¼ cup Basil fresh
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F.
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In a 9×13-inch pan pour 2 pints of grape tomatoes, 4 minced cloves garlic, ½ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup water, and 12 ounces pasta.
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Stir together and cover the 9×13-inch pan with foil.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes.
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After 40 minutes, remove from oven and stir in 8 ounces vegan feta crumbles, 2 cups fresh spinach, and ¼ cup fresh basil.
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Leave uncovered and cook 5 minutes.
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Remove from oven and serve.
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Add additional feta crumbles, basil, salt, or pepper as needed.
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