Feta really had its moment in the spotlight recently with the tiktok famous tomato and baked feta pasta recipe. If you didn’t hear about that, it was a simple concept of sheet pan baked feta and tomatoes stirred into pasta. Enter your email & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from us every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Hurry the Food Up. When I saw this viral recipe, I thought HOLD UP A MINUTE! We already did that! Just minus the pasta! This scrummy vegetarian meal is quite similar to the famous one, but without the pasta and with a wider selection of veggies and bolder flavors (if you’d prefer pasta, we have a load of delicious veggie pasta bakes right here!). Talking about similar recipes: this Baked Feta Tomato Dip is also a close relative to this bake. A brilliant alternative for a party.
Ingredients
Here is a rundown of the key ingredients in this baked feta recipe: Low Fat Feta CheeseI usually go for low fat feta, because there is a lot of cheese being consumed here and the fat levels can get quite high. But you are always welcome to go full fat! Baked feta cheese recipes are great because it keeps its shape as it melts, however you could also give it a go with goat cheese, if you fancy! Cooking time may vary, but go ahead and experiment! Red Bell PepperBell peppers are full of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as plenty of antioxidants! Did you know that the different colors of peppers are actually just peppers at varying stages of ripeness? Red peppers are the ripest, so they also have the most vitamin C! Basil and ParsleyI love Italian seasoning for this dish. The flavors of basil and parsley are fresh and herby, and complement the other ingredients so well. If you have fresh basil or parsley, even better, though dry herbs are also lovely! Fresh Cherry TomatoesWhen cherry tomatoes roast, they split and add some delicious juiciness to this delicious meal. I go for cherry tomatoes because of their sweet sharp flavor. Jalapeño PeppersGet some spice going! If you don’t have jalapeño peppers, then a sprinkling of red pepper flakes is also yummy. If you don’t like spice, leave them out! OlivesI always thought of olives as more of an easy appetizer than an ingredient with health benefits. But I recently learned that they are super healthy! They are high in Vitamin E and other antioxidants. I recommend using kalamata olives. No wonder they’re so healthy in the Mediterranean!
How many calories in baked feta?
This feta and veggie bake contains 505 calories per serving, and it contains 23g protein per serving. Here is a quick rundown of the nutritional data:
It is also gluten-free!
Health benefits
Feta cheese is lower in fat than other cheeses, and if you choose low fat feta, that is better still! It is also a good source of calcium, zinc and B vitamins. This means it is good for bone health. The fact that it is a fermented food also means it is beneficial for your gut health. If you needed a good reason to cook this dish, I think you have it! Bell peppers are a great source of vitamins A and C. Half a cup of red bell peppers provides you with 159 % of your daily vitamin C requirements! Vitamin C boosts your immune system, while Vitamin A helps improve skin and eye health. Cherry tomatoes also contain Vitamin C in high quantities, as well as lycopene, a compound which helps prevent inflammation and blood clotting.
How to make Baked Feta with Veggies
Prep: Heat oven to 180 degrees celsius (360 degrees fahrenheit). If you are having brown rice as a side, prepare that now, according to the packet.
Feta: Slice the feta lengthwise into two thin pieces and place them in the bottom of a large baking tray. Sprinkle half your herbs over the feta.
Vegetables: Chop all the veggies and garlic into small pieces and place in a large bowl.
Season: Toss the veggies in extra virgin olive oil, salt, water and herbs.
Assemble: Place the veggies in a single layer in the tray, surrounding the feta.
Bake: Bake for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through.
Serve: Serve with brown rice and hummus or you choice of side dish.
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this ahead?
I wouldn’t recommend it, as the feta will harden and lose its lovely texture. The best flavor in this dish comes when it is fresh!
How to store and reheat?
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and heat them up in the microwave the next day or the day after. The melted feta won’t have as nice a texture but the flavors from the roasted veggies will intensify – you win some you lose some!
What to serve with Baked Feta and Veggies?
I suggest brown rice, crusty bread or any other grain that takes your fancy. I also like to add some hummus or another dip on the side. You could even eat this as a side dish with vegetable frittata or some veggie sausages.
Will feta cheese melt in the oven?
It doesn’t melt in the way that mozzarella or cheddar melts, ie. it doesn’t become stringy and gooey, however warm feta does soften and become creamy.
What does feta go well with?
Creamy feta pairs well with vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, onions, olives and cucumbers. For herbs, it pairs with mint, basil, parsley, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme and chives. It also pairs well with homemade pita chips , pasta, almonds and, surprisingly, honey! There are so many delicious and easy recipes you can make with feta.
What can I do with a block of feta cheese?
Crumble it into a greek salad or on top of any tomato based dish. Bake it in the oven with vegetables, put it in a sandwich with tomatoes and basil, or whip it up into a feta dip with sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon zest and fresh herbs! Your taste buds will thank you!
Variations and alternatives
Sweet potatoes are a great option to add to this traybake. They are super healthy and fibrous and add some filling carbs to the dish. However, if you do choose to try it with large chunks of sweet potatoes, we would recommend boiling them for a few minutes first until they are slightly tender, because they won’t cook as quickly as the other vegetables. Alternatively, just chop them up really small! You could also shake up the kind of veggies you use – we love this dish as one of the ultimate leftover vegetable meals! A crack of black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice once everything is baked adds a punch of flavor! Some chopped sun-dried tomatoes are also a rich, flavorful addition to be stirred through at the end, or even roasted with the rest of the veggies. This is a hard dish to make vegan, though there are some vegan feta cheese alternatives out there, might be worth a try. It is naturally gluten free when prepared with brown rice as a side.
What Our Readers Are Saying
I was unsure of how this was going to taste, it was delicious! My kids loved it as well! – Ruby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Just made this dish for my mother and I and we ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Who says vegetarian food has to be boring? Thanks for the great recipe. For sure will use it al the time!!– Emily ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐This is the first recipe that I have tried off your site and it was a huge success! My husband is very particular regarding food and he thought it was very tasty, especially next day for lunch. I doubled the recipe, used vegan feta, and added oyster mushrooms for a fancier dinner. I will definitely be trying more of the delicious recipes from your site!– Natasha ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We hope you enjoyed this easy recipe for a delicious feta bake. An easy way to eat a healthy dinner!
