Imagine a vibrant and comforting meal that brings together juicy, sun-roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, and savory sausage, all nestled with crisp green beans and served over your favorite pasta. That’s exactly what the Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe offers — a stunning fusion of textures and flavors that brighten your dinner table without hours of fuss. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again, especially when craving a hearty yet fresh meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to create this delightful dish is a breeze with simple, fresh ingredients. Each element plays a crucial role: the sausages bring savory depth, the cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness and juice, the feta adds creamy tang, and the green beans offer a crisp contrast. Together, these ingredients build a symphony of color, texture, and flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Essential for gently browning the sausage and adding a rich base flavor.
- Precooked chicken or pork sausage: Adds hearty, savory notes and protein that pairs beautifully with the fresh ingredients.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh to infuse a fragrant depth without overpowering the dish.
- Cherry tomatoes: The star of the recipe, these sweet little gems soften and release juices that create a luscious sauce.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes and the tang of the feta.
- Fresh minced basil: Brightens the dish with its aromatic, slightly peppery flavor.
- Green beans: Provide a crisp texture that contrasts perfectly with the softness of the tomatoes and feta.
- Block of feta cheese: Not crumbled, so it can melt and brown beautifully, adding a creamy, tangy richness.
- Pasta (or rice/barley): The comforting base that soaks up all the vibrant juices and flavors.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sausage and Garlic
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Warm an oven-safe sauté pan just below medium heat, then add a splash of olive oil. Lay in the sliced sausage and let it brown gently on both sides for about 10 minutes. This step unlocks deep, savory flavors that form the foundation of the dish. Afterward, reduce the heat to medium-low, add the minced garlic, and stir frequently for one minute to release that irresistible aroma, making sure it doesn’t burn.
Step 2: Bring the Cherry Tomatoes and Basil to Life
Next, toss in the vibrant cherry tomatoes along with salt and fresh minced basil. Stir everything to coat the tomatoes and sausage well. The tomatoes will begin to warm and soften in about 2 to 3 minutes, releasing their juices and creating a natural, luscious sauce. Keep an eye on the garlic so it stays perfectly fragrant without turning bitter.
Step 3: Add Green Beans and Feta
Now it’s time to add green beans, trimming and halving them beforehand for an easy bite and texture contrast. Toss everything together so the beans mingle with the tomatoes and sausage. Then scatter the cubed feta throughout the pan. The goal is to have feta nestled within to soften and meld with the juicy sauce, yet also layered on top to caramelize beautifully during the broiling step.
Step 4: Bake and Broil to Perfection
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. This slow cook allows the flavors to marry while the feta melts melt into creamy pockets. Finally, switch your oven to broil for 2 to 3 minutes to brown the feta and char some tomatoes lightly. Keep a close eye during this stage to avoid burning, but expect a gorgeous golden top with hints of crispy, caramelized texture.
Step 5: Serving the Dish
Once out of the oven, serve this delightful mixture generously over your choice of pasta—spaghetti, penne, or fusilli all work wonders—or switch things up with brown rice or pearl barley for a wholesome twist. The pasta soaks up every drop of the delicious juices, making every forkful bursting with flavor and satisfying textures.
How to Serve Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your plating by sprinkling some freshly chopped basil or parsley on top for a burst of green freshness and vibrant aroma. A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a touch of crushed red pepper flakes can add a lovely finishing note, taking the dish from delicious to downright irresistible.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with crisp green salads or roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini to add even more color and nutrition to your meal. A crusty loaf of bread is also perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce lingering on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual yet elegant presentation, serve the baked cherry tomatoes and feta directly in the sauté pan to highlight the rustic charm. Alternatively, plate the sausage and vegetables over nest-like swirls of pasta and garnish with extra feta crumbles on top for an inviting, restaurant-style dish that delights guests and family alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the pasta separate if possible to prevent it from becoming mushy overnight.
Freezing
This dish freezes well without losing much flavor. Place the cooled mixture into freezer-safe containers, ideally portioned for easy reheating. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven to maintain texture and flavor. Avoid microwaving directly from frozen to preserve the integrity of the veggies and sausage. A splash of olive oil or a little water can help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of feta?
Absolutely! While feta adds a tangy creaminess and browning appeal, you can swap it with fresh mozzarella for a milder melt or goat cheese for a similar tang with a creamier texture. Just keep in mind the melting qualities for broiling.
Is it okay to use raw sausage instead of precooked?
Using raw sausage means adjusting the cooking time significantly to ensure it cooks through safely. Brown the sausage fully before adding the remaining ingredients and keep a close eye on the bake time, as it may take longer to finish cooking.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Replace the sausage with hearty plant-based sausage alternatives or add more vegetables like mushrooms or eggplant to maintain the satisfying texture and richness.
What pasta type works best for this recipe?
This recipe is versatile with pasta types. Short shapes like penne or fusilli capture the sauce nicely, while long strands like spaghetti or linguine provide a classic feel. Choose based on your personal preference.
Can I prepare this dish in advance for entertaining?
Yes, you can assemble the skillet up to the baking step and refrigerate it for a few hours before cooking. When ready, simply bake and broil as directed, making dinner preparation stress-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that’s bursting with fresh flavors yet cozy and comforting, the Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe could quickly become your new weeknight favorite. It’s a joyous mix of simple ingredients that come together effortlessly but shine brightly, perfect to share with friends, family, or even just your hungry self. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how something so easy can taste this incredible!
PrintBaked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage with Green Beans over Pasta Recipe
This Baked Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Sausage recipe is a hearty and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish combining juicy cherry tomatoes, savory precooked sausage, tender green beans, and creamy baked feta. Finished with fresh basil and served over your choice of pasta, rice, or barley, it’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus more as needed)
- ¾ lb precooked chicken or pork sausage, sliced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2½ lbs cherry tomatoes
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp fresh minced basil
- ½ lb green beans, trimmed and halved
- 8 oz block of feta (not crumbled)
- 1 lb pasta (for serving, or use rice or pearl barley as alternatives)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Brown Sausage: Heat a large oven-safe sauté pan over just under medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sliced sausages. Cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 10 minutes, to develop flavor and texture.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic to the pan, stirring occasionally and cooking for about 1 minute. Add extra olive oil if needed to prevent sticking or burning. Watch carefully to avoid letting garlic burn.
- Add Tomatoes and Basil: Toss in cherry tomatoes, salt, and fresh basil. Stir well to coat everything evenly and warm the tomatoes through for 2-3 minutes, being mindful of the garlic to avoid burning.
- Add Green Beans and Feta: Mix in trimmed and halved green beans along with cubed feta. Distribute the feta throughout the dish so it softens in the tomato sauce, and arrange some pieces toward the top for browning during broiling.
- Bake the Dish: Place the sauté pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes at 400°F allowing the ingredients to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Broil for Browning: Switch the oven to broil and cook the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes until the feta and some tomatoes brown nicely. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve the baked sausage and tomato mixture over cooked pasta, or alternatively over brown rice or pearl barley for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the precooked chicken or pork sausage with plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version (skip if diet classification is strict).
- Ensure the feta is cut into cubes rather than crumbled for optimal melting and browning.
- Keep an eye on the garlic during the sauté step to prevent bitterness from burning.
- This dish pairs well with brown rice or pearl barley as a pasta alternative.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
