We found a way to make the classic baked feta tomato pasta a bit more Southern.

(Publix brand imported Greekfetais a great pick at a great price point.)

Ingredients

2pintscherry or grape tomatoes

2(4-oz.

Southern Living Tomato-Feta Penne with Pimientos

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)block feta cheese

1(16-oz.)pkg.

Place tomatoes, pimientos, and garlic in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Drizzle with 4 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper, stirring to combine.

feta tomato pasta before baking

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Cut a 1/2-inch slice from feta; crumble and reserve for garnish.

Nestle remaining feta block in center of baking dish.

Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, turning to coat feta on all sides.

feta tomato pasta sauce ingredients after baking but before stirring

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Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high.

Add pasta; cook according to package directions for al dente.

Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water; drain pasta.

pasta cooked with reserved pasta water in a measuring cup

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Stir feta-and-tomato mixture together with 1/4 cup reserved cooking water to form a creamy sauce.

Serve topped with additional basil and reserved feta; garnish with toasted pine nuts, if using.

Recipe Tips From TheSouthern LivingKitchen

feta tomato pasta sauce stirred before adding pasta

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feta tomato pasta stirred together in baking dish before serving

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall