Step 1

Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 2

Prep the sauce: Place the feta block in a 9x13-inch casserole dish then surround it with the cherry tomatoes and smashed garlic. Drizzle the olive oil all over the tomatoes and cheese then season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes have burst and the feta cheese has softened. Increase the heat to 450°F and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the feta cheese is golden brown.

Step 3

Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve ½ cup to 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta well.

Step 4

Mix it all together: Use a fork to mash the feta, tomatoes and garlic together. Add the pasta and basil to the casserole dish and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in sauce. Add some pasta water if the pasta is too dry, a couple tablespoons at a time. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5

Serve: Serve this pasta while it's hot, garnished with more fresh basil and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if preferred.