Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-03-03

Serves: 4 | Total time: ~35 minutes | Why it works: Baked feta creates a creamy sauce; spinach/artichoke keep it bright.

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (short shape)
• 1 block (8 oz) feta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt, pepper, lemon zest

Instructions

1) Heat oven to 400°F. In a baking dish, place feta in center. Surround with tomatoes, artichokes, garlic, red pepper flakes, oil, pinch salt/pepper. Bake 25 minutes until tomatoes burst.

2) Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted water; reserve 1 cup pasta water.

3) Mash feta/tomatoes into a sauce. Add spinach to hot dish to wilt. Toss in pasta, adding pasta water as needed for creaminess. Finish with lemon zest and extra pepper.

Tips

• Use block feta for best melt.
• Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for protein.