If you’re looking to wow your taste buds with a dish that’s comforting, vibrant, and downright irresistible, the Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine golden, crispy potatoes tender on the inside, embracing creamy, tangy baked feta, all infused with fragrant garlic and fresh herbs. This recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that turns a humble side into the star of your meal—perfect for cozy dinners or a spectacular addition to your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how just a handful of well-chosen ingredients can come together to create a dish bursting with flavor, texture, and color. Each item here plays a crucial role, whether it’s bringing richness, brightness, or that perfect earthy aroma.
- Baking potatoes (1-2 large, cubed): These provide the hearty, crispy base that soaks up all the delicious flavors.
- Garlic (1 whole head, top sliced off): Roasting garlic softens it into a sweet, mellow spread that adds depth and warmth.
- Lemon (1, quartered): Adds a fresh zing that balances the creamy feta and rich potatoes beautifully.
- Fresh basil (¼ cup, chopped): Brings a burst of herbal brightness and color to the final dish.
- Feta cheese (7 oz block): This creamy, tangy cheese is the star of the show, melting slightly to coat the potatoes.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Essential for roasting the potatoes to golden perfection and carrying the herbs and spices.
- Honey (1 tablespoon): A touch of natural sweetness that contrasts beautifully with savory elements.
- Dried thyme (1 teaspoon): Offers an earthy, slightly minty nature that complements the garlic and oregano.
- Dried oregano (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, aromatic punch that ties all the flavors together.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and helps crisp the potatoes.
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon): Provides just the right amount of spicy kick.
How to Make Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by heating your oven to 390°F (200°C). Wash your potatoes thoroughly and chop them into bite-sized cubes. Spread them out evenly in a baking dish to ensure each piece roasts perfectly and crisps up nicely.
Step 2: Season the Potatoes
Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over your potatoes, then sprinkle the dried thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper evenly. Toss everything thoroughly so the cubes get fully coated. This step is crucial because it ensures every bite delivers that perfect blend of herb-infused flavor.
Step 3: Add Feta, Garlic, and Lemon
Place your beautiful block of feta cheese right in the center of the baking dish. For maximum flavor, press one side of the feta into the herbed potatoes, then flip it so both sides pick up seasoning. Nestle in the whole head of garlic and half the lemon wedges around the cheese and potatoes. Finally, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the whole dish to give it that luscious finish.
Step 4: Roast to Golden Perfection
Pop the dish into the oven and roast for 45 to 55 minutes. Your kitchen will soon be filled with an irresistible aroma. Keep an eye on the garlic after about 35 minutes—if it browns too fast, remove it to prevent burning while the potatoes finish roasting to crisp, golden goodness.
Step 5: Mash Garlic and Combine Flavors
Once cooled enough to handle, squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a small bowl. Mash them into a fragrant paste with a knife; this concentrated garlic flavor is pure magic. Add the paste, the juice from the remaining lemon wedges, and chopped basil back into the baking dish. Gently fold everything together to coat the potatoes and feta with this vibrant mixture.
Step 6: Finish with Honey and Basil
The final touch is a light drizzle of honey over the dish, sprinkling it with extra fresh basil for a pop of green and a hint of sweetness that elevates the entire recipe. Serve immediately and get ready to enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors and textures!
How to Serve Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like extra chopped basil or a sprinkle of parsley add vibrant color and a fresh aroma. A light zest of lemon on top can also brighten the dish further and impress at presentation time.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or a crisp green salad. It’s equally fantastic as a standalone vegetarian meal or alongside a hearty soup to cozy up your evenings.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the roasted potatoes and feta straight from the baking dish at the table for a rustic, inviting look. Alternatively, pile the mixture into warm pita bread or soft flatbreads, creating an impromptu gourmet snack that’s bursting with flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it a fantastic next-day meal or snack.
Freezing
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze leftovers by placing them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to one month and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible to maintain the crispy texture of the potatoes and avoid sogginess.
FAQs
Can I use other types of potatoes in this Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe?
Absolutely! Yukon Gold or red potatoes can work beautifully as well, though they may have slightly different roast times. Just aim for evenly cubed pieces to ensure even cooking.
Is it necessary to use a whole head of garlic?
Using an entire head of garlic adds a mellow, sweet depth that’s hard to beat when roasted. However, if you prefer milder garlic flavor, you can reduce the amount or substitute with a few cloves.
Can I substitute feta cheese with another cheese?
Feta is ideal because of its crumbly texture and tangy flavor, but halloumi or goat cheese can also be delicious alternatives if you want to try a twist on the classic.
How do I make this recipe vegan?
Simply swap the feta for a firm tofu or vegan cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey for that touch of sweetness.
Why do we add lemon wedges during roasting?
Lemon wedges roast and soften, infusing the whole dish with a gentle citrus flavor that cuts through the richness of the feta and potatoes beautifully, creating a balanced profile.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe—it feels like a warm hug for your taste buds with every bite. It’s effortless yet impressive, comforting yet fresh. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this dish will bring joy and plenty of compliments to the table. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and treat yourself to a wonderfully flavorful experience that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
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Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This comforting Roasted Potatoes with Baked Feta and Garlic recipe features crispy golden potatoes baked alongside creamy feta cheese and whole roasted garlic. Enhanced with fresh basil, lemon, and aromatic herbs, this dish combines savory, tangy, and sweet flavors for a deliciously hearty side or vegetarian main course. Simple to prepare and baked to perfection, it’s ideal for a flavorful weeknight meal or enhanced brunch.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1–2 large baking potatoes, washed and cubed
- 1 head of garlic, top sliced off
- 1 lemon, quartered
- ¼ cup (20 g) fresh basil, chopped
Dairy
- 7 oz (200 g) block of feta cheese
Oils and Sweeteners
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon honey
Herbs and Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 390°F (200°C). Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into cubes. Place the cubed potatoes evenly spread in a baking dish.
- Season Potatoes: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the potatoes. Sprinkle dried thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss the potatoes well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
- Add Feta, Garlic, and Lemon: Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the baking dish. Press one side of the feta into the herbs and oil on the potatoes, then flip it over for extra flavor. Add the whole head of garlic and half of the lemon wedges into the dish. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over everything.
- Roast Until Golden: Roast the dish in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes until the potatoes are golden and crispy. Check the garlic after approximately 35 minutes and remove it if it begins to over-brown, then continue roasting until the dish is ready.
- Prepare Garlic Paste 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 using a knife. Add this garlic paste, juice from the remaining lemon wedges, and chopped basil to the baking dish. Gently mix the roasted potatoes and feta together to combine all the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle honey over the top of the dish and sprinkle with extra fresh basil for color and added sweetness. Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful, hearty dish.
Notes
- You can adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference, adding more herbs or spices as desired.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese alternative and replace honey with maple syrup.
- Make sure to check the garlic during roasting to avoid burning; roasted garlic adds a mellow sweetness to the dish.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
