If you love vibrant, comforting dishes that bring both simplicity and burst of flavors to your table, this Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe will quickly become one of your all-time favorites. Imagine tender, golden cubes of potato mingling with creamy, tangy baked feta, all kissed by the mellow sweetness of roasted garlic and a hint of honey. This dish is as easy on the eyes as it is on the palate, making it a perfect centerpiece or side that feels both cozy and indulgent. Every bite offers a delicious harmony of textures and uplifting aromas that make home cooking feel truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is key to nailing this dish. Each component adds its own magic—from the creamy feta that melts into every bite, to the zesty lemon and aromatic herbs that highlight the potatoes beautifully.
- Large baking potatoes: Choose firm potatoes that will roast to a golden crisp while staying fluffy inside.
- Garlic head: Whole roasted garlic adds a rich, mellow sweetness that transforms the flavor.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon wedges brighten the dish with a hint of citrus tang.
- Fresh basil: Chopped basil adds a pop of color and herbal freshness.
- Block of feta cheese: Creamy and salty, feta melts perfectly when baked for a luscious texture.
- Olive oil: Use good quality olive oil to coat the potatoes and enhance the flavors.
- Honey: A drizzle adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Dried thyme and oregano: Classic Mediterranean herbs that bring warmth and complexity.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and elevating every ingredient.
How to Make Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by preheating your oven to 390°F (200°C). This high heat is essential for achieving those deliciously crispy edges on the potatoes. Wash and cube your potatoes evenly to ensure they roast uniformly. Spread them out nicely in a baking dish – this gives each piece space to get golden and slightly crisp.
Step 2: Season the Potatoes
Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes, then sprinkle with dried thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together so every cube wears a tasty, herb-coated jacket. This mixture of herbs and spices enhances the potatoes with a lovely Mediterranean flair that feels both rustic and refined.
Step 3: Add the Feta and Garlic
Place the entire block of feta cheese right in the center of the baking dish – a little trick to develop a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth centerpiece. Press one side of the feta into the herby potatoes then flip it over to pick up more of those flavors. Nestle a whole head of garlic with the top sliced off beside the feta, adding half the lemon wedges around as well. Finally, drizzle the remaining olive oil over everything for extra richness.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the dish into the oven and roast for 45 to 55 minutes. This slow roasting allows the potatoes to crisp up beautifully while the feta softens to creamy perfection. Keep an eye on the garlic after 35 minutes – if it starts to brown too much, take it out to prevent bitterness. This stage is where all those incredible flavors start to marry together.
Step 5: Mash and Mix
Once baked, carefully squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them into a velvety paste with a knife. Add this garlicky goodness back into the dish along with juice from the remaining lemon wedges and chopped fresh basil. Gently mix the potatoes and feta to coat everything in a herby, garlicky, tangy sauce that’s downright irresistible.
Step 6: Finishing Touch
To bring it all home, drizzle honey over the top for a subtle, sweet contrast to the savory feta and herbs. Sprinkle with extra basil leaves to brighten the colors and add a fresh herbal note. Serve this dish hot, and prepare to enjoy a fantastic medley of textures and flavors that will keep you coming back for more!
How to Serve Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
Garnishes
A bit of fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on top looks stunning and adds a lively freshness that complements the richness of the feta and garlic. A light dusting of lemon zest can also elevate the dish with a fragrant citrus kick, making every bite exciting.
Side Dishes
This recipe works beautifully as a star side alongside grilled chicken, seared fish, or even a crisp green salad. For a heartier meal, serve it with warm pita bread or alongside roasted vegetables to amplify the Mediterranean vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dish straight from the baking dish to keep it rustic and inviting. Alternatively, plate it elegantly by layering the roasted potatoes and feta on a large platter, scattered with fresh herbs and a final drizzle of olive oil and honey for that wow factor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover roasted potatoes with baked feta and garlic can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This makes it perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners later in the week.
Freezing
Because of the creamy texture of feta and the roasted potatoes, freezing can slightly alter the dish’s texture, but it’s still possible. Store in a freezer-safe container and consume within one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For the best reheating results, warm the leftovers in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and crispy again, about 10-15 minutes. Microwaving is quicker but may soften the crispiness, so if you do microwave, consider finishing with a quick broil for a minute or two.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes for this recipe?
Absolutely! While baking potatoes are ideal because they get fluffy inside and crispy outside, Yukon Gold or red potatoes also work well and bring their own unique texture and flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the feta with a plant-based cheese alternative that melts well, and replace honey with maple syrup or agave to keep it vegan while maintaining the dish’s rich flavors.
Can I prepare this recipe using a different cheese?
Feta is perfect because of its salty tang and creamy melting quality, but you can experiment with halloumi or goat cheese for subtle variations, keeping in mind they will behave differently when baked.
What is the best way to save leftover garlic paste?
Store mashed roasted garlic in a small airtight container in the fridge, and use within 3 days. It’s fantastic added to dressings, spreads, or mixed into mashed potatoes.
How do I ensure the feta doesn’t dry out while baking?
Placing the feta block in the center of the potatoes, drizzled with olive oil, helps it stay moist and creamy during roasting. Avoid cutting it into small pieces before baking to maintain its luscious texture.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe a try – it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Its balance of hearty potatoes, creamy tangy cheese, sweet garlic, and fresh herbs is simply unbeatable. Whether you’re cooking for just two or sharing with friends, this recipe brings a welcoming Mediterranean charm that’s guaranteed to brighten your meal times. Enjoy every delicious bite!
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Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic recipe offers a delightful combination of crispy golden potatoes paired with creamy baked feta cheese. Infused with aromatic herbs, garlic, lemon, and a touch of honey, this dish is a flavorful and comforting side or light main perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Potatoes and Herbs
- 1–2 large baking potatoes, washed and cubed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Aromatics
- 7 oz (200 g) block of feta cheese
- 1 head of garlic, top sliced off
- ¼ cup (20 g) fresh basil, chopped
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Thoroughly wash the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized cubes for uniform cooking. Spread the cubed potatoes evenly in a baking dish.
- Season the Potatoes: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes. Sprinkle dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper evenly. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated with the oil and seasonings.
- Add the Feta and Garlic: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish. To infuse flavor, press one side of the feta into the herb-coated potatoes, then flip it over to coat the other side as well. Add the whole head of garlic and half of the lemon wedges to the dish. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over all the ingredients.
- Bake to Perfection: Roast the dish in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes until the potatoes become golden and crispy. Check the garlic after about 35 minutes; if it begins to brown excessively, remove it to prevent burning while allowing the potatoes and feta to finish roasting.
- Mash and Mix: Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the softened cloves from their skins into a bowl and mash into a paste with a knife. Add the garlic paste along with juice from the remaining lemon wedges and chopped basil directly into the baking dish. Gently mix the roasted potatoes and feta to combine all the flavors.
- Finishing Touch: Drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle with extra fresh basil for a fresh aroma, a subtle sweetness, and vibrant color. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy this deliciously comforting dish.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of potatoes and feta according to serving size requirements.
- If preferred, substitute fresh thyme and oregano for dried herbs for a brighter flavor.
- Be attentive to the garlic during baking to avoid bitterness from overcooking.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
- The honey drizzle adds a lovely balance to the salty feta and savory potatoes—do not skip or replace with a different sweetener for best flavor.
