Charred Tomato Pasta

Meals

Jan 22

Written By Ben McElroy

Why Make It?

Charred tomatoes are a true treat. Feta adds a cold and creamy contrast that turns this pasta into a savory and satisfying vegetarian meal.
While the tomatoes and feta serve as the stars, the sauteed onion, parsley, and red pepper add depth that will make you finish your bowl.

Keys to Success

The charred tomatoes are the main attraction. Ensure you start with a hot pan, around 400 F. After adding the tomatoes, consider turning the heat to high—this ensures good char. Each tomato should be charred without losing their shape.
Try to find feta in brine. The texture is much better than the pre-crumbled options for this recipe.

Go To Recipe

Author Thoughts

This dish was inspired by the famous baked feta recipe.The goal was to create something with the same flavors but with charred tomatoes. The best part of the baked feta recipe is how the feta melts to create a creamy sauce. On the other hand, the dish can also feel over-sauced with mushy tomatoes.

This version provides more contrast with each bit while still offering the same flavor profile. If you want something closer to the original baked feta, consider adding some feta with the pasta water when assembling instead of at the end.

Equipment

large non-stick skillet - large pot - large pan

Charred Tomato Pasta

Makes: 5 Servings | Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

1 lb [454 g] penne pasta
1 pint [550 g] cherry tomatoes
8 oz [210 g] feta in brine
1 large onion
1 bunch parsley
4 tsp olive oil
red pepper flakes [to taste]

Instructions

Prep: Bring water to a boil in a large pot and season with salt. Dice the onion. Half each cherry tomato. Crumble the feta. Chop the parsley.
Saute: As the water is being heated, heat a large pan on medium. Saute the onion in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add salt and saute until translucent.
Pasta: While the onion is sauteing, add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook until al dente.
Sear: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large non-stick pan to medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp of olive oil and immediately add the cherry tomatoes. Flip the tomatoes so that each one is flat side down. Check for charr by lifting up tomatoes. Once there is some charr and good browning, flip the pan and remove from the heat. [See Image #1] Add salt to taste.
Assemble: Add half the charred tomatoes and the pasta to the sauted onions. Add some pasta water as needed [~ ¼ cup] to create a sauce. Portion into a bowl and top with the feta, remaining charred tomatoes, parsley and red pepper.