There are so many reasons to love this Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian pasta! It’s quick, easy, and bursting with fresh flavor. Made with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and lemon, this wholesome dish comes together in just 30 minutes. Serve it as a light meatless dinner, a side dish, or pair it with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp for extra protein.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta
- Quick & Easy – Ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy & Fresh – Made with spinach, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and lemon.
- Versatile – Enjoy it vegetarian, or add chicken, shrimp, or salmon for protein.
- Meal-Prep Friendly – Stores well in the fridge or freezer.
This pasta is colorful, vibrant, and tastes like something you’d get at a Mediterranean café!
Ingredients
- Pasta – Bow-tie (farfalle) is used here, but any short-cut pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli works.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Use a mix of red and yellow for a beautiful presentation.
- Spinach – Fresh is best, but thawed frozen spinach works too.
- Feta Cheese – Use a block for the freshest flavor, or crumbled for convenience.
- Garlic – Freshly minced for maximum flavor.
- Olive Oil – Helps cook down the tomatoes and garlic.
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed for brightness.
How to Make It
- Cook Pasta – Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Tomatoes – In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add halved cherry tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes until tomatoes soften.
- Add Spinach – Stir in spinach until wilted.
- Add Feta – Mix in crumbled feta cheese until warm and creamy.
- Combine – Toss in the cooked pasta and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Stir and heat through for 1 minute.
Variations & Substitutions
- Protein Boost – Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
- Extra Veggies – Try bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms, or artichokes.
- Different Greens – Swap spinach with kale or arugula.
- Cheese Options – Use mozzarella pearls, Parmesan, or dairy-free feta.
- Gluten-Free Option – Substitute gluten-free pasta.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer – Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Reheat – Warm on the stovetop with a splash of olive oil and water, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Serving Ideas
Pair your feta pasta with:
- Crusty bread (ciabatta, focaccia, or garlic bread).
- Fresh salads like Greek salad, strawberry spinach salad, or avocado mango salad.
- Seafood or grilled meats for a heartier meal.
✨ In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a fresh, healthy, and flavorful Mediterranean pasta that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Pasta with Feta Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes, and Spinach
4
servings10
minutes20
minutesA quick and flavorful Mediterranean pasta dish made with bow-tie pasta, juicy tomatoes, fresh spinach, and creamy feta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vibrant vegetarian recipe makes the perfect weeknight dinner or a versatile side dish!
Ingredients
10 oz farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 oz grape tomatoes (red + yellow), halved
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
5 oz fresh spinach, chopped
6 oz feta cheese, crumbled
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Veggies
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add halved tomatoes, garlic, salt, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to soften and release juices.
- Add Spinach & Feta
- Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted. Add crumbled feta cheese and mix gently.
- Combine Everything
- Add the drained pasta and lemon juice to the skillet. Toss everything together and cook for 1 more minute. For extra richness, drizzle with an additional tablespoon of olive oil if desired.
- Notes & Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan feta.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free pasta.
- Extra Veggies: Try bell peppers, zucchini, asparagus, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, or arugula.
- Cheese Swap: Replace feta with mozzarella or Parmesan for a different flavor.
- Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 1 month for easy meal prep.
- Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over low-medium heat with a splash of olive oil and water, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.
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