# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz dried short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni
→ Cheese
02 - 7 oz block feta cheese
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
→ Pantry
08 - 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat to 400°F.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof baking dish. Season generously with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Place the block of feta at the center of the dish, nestling it among the tomatoes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season the cheese lightly with black pepper.
04 - Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until tomatoes are blistered and bursting and feta is softened and golden at the edges.
05 - While the feta bakes, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until the onions are deeply caramelised and golden brown. Set aside.
06 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta.
07 - Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add caramelised onions and chopped basil to the dish. Stir thoroughly, breaking up the feta and combining all ingredients to create a creamy, unified sauce.
08 - Add the cooked pasta into the baking dish. Toss gently to evenly coat noodles in the sauce. If needed, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired sauce consistency is achieved.
09 - Transfer to serving plates. Garnish with additional fresh basil and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil if desired. Serve hot.
