Baked Feta Pasta

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a baking dish, toss cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered shallot, smashed garlic cloves, and most of the extra-virgin olive oil. Season with kosher salt and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Place the block feta in the center of the tomato mixture, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and top with fresh thyme sprigs.

Bake the dish until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta turns golden, about 40-45 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.

Transfer the cooked pasta into the baking dish along with the reserved pasta water and lemon zest. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

Top the dish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.