Would it be pandemic-era if I didn't try this?
It works, and it's superlatively easy, and it's yummy enough.
Here are proportions for half of what they usually show making (enough for three 1-person dinners):
Heat oven to 400 F and set a big pot of salted water to boil. In an 8x8 baking dish, toss a pint of cherry tomatoes with 1/4 c olive oil (yes, that much), salt, and pepper. I added a few extra tomatoes past this.
Plonk 4 oz of a block of feta in the middle and get some olive oil, salt, pepper over that too. Put it in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Cook and drain 1/2 pound of pasta. I used farfalle.
Crank up the oven to 450; bake 10 minutes more to brown the tomatoes and feta.
Remove from oven and add 1 large clove of garlic, minced, and a pinch of red pepper flakes to cook in the residual heat. Add some torn basil and the pasta and stir it all up to coat it in melty cheese sauce. At first it will look like it won't work, but it will. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
