Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2

Place the block of feta cheese in the middle of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

Step 3

Arrange cherry tomatoes around block of cheese.

Step 4

Insert several cloves of garlic around tomatoes.

Step 5

Sprinkle block of feta cheese with Italian seasoning, dried garlic (optional), red pepper flakes and coarse pepper.

Step 6

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over cheese and tomatoes.

Step 7

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes until tomatoes are bursting and cheese is melting.

Step 8

Burst open all of the tomatoes with a spoon, then stir with cheese until a creamy sauce forms.

Step 9

Stir in basil slivers.

Step 10

Mix in penne pasta and serve immediately.