Tik Tok Tomato Feta Pasta

This couldn't be easier, and if you are working from home, it can be on the table within about 15 minutes of the rest of your family arriving home, and only takes minutes of preparation. Plus, it tastes great, and if you are either in a summer abundance of cherry tomatoes or you have a Costco sized box that are less than beautiful, this is also a great option. 2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, halved lengthwise 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt 1 block (7 ounces / 200 grams) Greek feta cheese 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Freshly ground black pepper 12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini Fresh basil leaves, for serving Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Sprinkle with some salt and toss to coat. Place the feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes and garlic, top with the remaining olive oil, and sprinkle the entire dish with red pepper flakes and a little black pepper. Bake for about 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and the tomatoes have burst their skins. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta. Mash the feta and tomatoes with a fork and mix until evenly combined. Mix the sauce with pasta, adding the reserved pasta water as needed if it looks a little dry. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. To serve, divide among bowls and top with plenty of basil leaves.