Baked Feta Pasta with Vegetables

This baked feta pasta with no tomato is loaded with asparagus, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and peppers for a tasty vegetarian lunch or dinner dish.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 950 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 (16 ounce) package rigatoni pasta
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and chopped
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut in 1/4 inch slices
• 1 ear fresh sweet corn, kernels cut from the cob
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
• 1 (16 ounce) package block feta cheese
• 1 tablespoon grated Pecorino Romano cheese, or more to taste
• 0.5 medium lemon
• 0.25 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven until vegetables are soft and feta is lightly browned, about 40 minutes.

Step 3

Combine grape tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini, onion, bell pepper, and corn kernels in a large baking dish. Drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with pepper flakes, sea salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and make a well in the center of the dish. Place feta blocks in the well. Drizzle feta with more olive oil and season with sea salt, pepper, and a pinch of pepper flakes. Nestle thyme sprigs into vegetables around the dish.

Step 4

When vegetables and feta have cooked for 25 minutes, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Set aside.

Step 5

When vegetables and feta are finished cooking, turn the broiler to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and broil vegetables for 1 minute for some final browning.

Step 6

Squeeze lemon over vegetables and feta; stir in parsley until incorporated. Stir in rigatoni and reserved pasta water to help feta coat pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper as needed and sprinkle with Pecorino Romano cheese.