Baked Feta and Broccolini Pasta with Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A warm pasta dish featuring tender broccolini and creamy baked feta infused with smoky paprika, tossed in a garlicky olive oil sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, broccolini florets, feta cheese block for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups broccolini florets
• 8 oz feta cheese block
• 1/4 cup, plus 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 3/4 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 8 oz block of feta cheese in a small baking dish and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes over the top. Bake for 20 minutes until feta is soft and slightly golden on edges.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water (1 tbsp salt) to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and 2 cups broccolini florets. Cook for 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente and broccolini is tender-crisp. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
3. Step 3: Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add drained pasta and broccolini to the skillet.
4. Step 4: Crumble the baked feta cheese into the skillet along with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Toss everything gently, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until sauce coats pasta evenly. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and serve warm.