This 5-ingredient Mediterranean feta mac and cheese is the perfect solution for when you crave a fresh twist on the old classic. It's simple, light, delicious, and satisfying on its own, but it is also excellent served with chicken, pork, or steak for a meal your whole family will love!
Welcome to Noodles Without Borders!
Noodles without Borders is a monthly challenge that Bobbi from Healthy World Cuisine and I started doing in August (can you believe it's October already?). We each share a pasta recipe on the first Tuesday of every month. Otherwise, the rules are that there are no rules.
Bobbi shares yummy noodle recipes that nourish the body and I think mine feeds the soul. You must agree, it's a perfect combination. If you love noodles as much as we do, tag your recipes on Instagram with #NoodlesWithoutBorders. Make sure you check out Bobbi's One Pot Creamy Kale Pesto Pasta. You'll love the colors and flavors!
Anyone for Macaroni and Cheese!?!
Speaking of nourishing the soul, who didn't grow up eating macaroni and cheese? A favorite childhood meal, there's something uniquely comforting and harmonious about warm pasta with cheese.
Boxed mac and cheese wasn't a thing when I was growing up, nor was the pre-shredded cheddar. But in our fridge, there was always a block of feta bathing in brine.
I recall the cheese being much tangier and saltier back then and mom used to rinse it before adding it to her dishes. Always taste your feta before adding salt to mac and cheese. As my mom would say, it's easier to add more salt than to remove it.
Feta Health Benefits:
- This traditional Greek cheese is widely enjoyed and indispensable in Mediterranean cuisine. It has less fat and calories than most cheeses.
- FETA contains vitamins A, B, and K, iron, magnesium, which is good for bones, and its good bacteria can strengthen the immune system. Originally made from sheep's and goat's cheese, it has a sharp and robust taste and creamy texture.
Feta is a mandatory ingredient in many salads, but also in appetizers, main courses, and deserts. It is excellent in combination with olive oil, basil, oregano, or grilled, as well as in salads with watermelon and mint.
If you've never tried feta in combination with pasta, you're missing out. Healthier than the classic mac and cheese with heavy sauces or fake cheese, this Mediterranean-style baked macaroni and feta dish is still very much comforting and satisfying. Best of all, it only takes five ingredients to make.
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~ Free Tip ~
- Sub the oil with butter.
- Use any type of small pasta.
- It works well with whole wheat and gluten-free pasta.
How To Make 5 Ingredient Mediterranean Feta Mac and Cheese:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8-9 minutes. Drain.
- Spoon the macaroni into a 2-qt. baking dish. Add oil and feta and stir to combine.
- Mix the egg and sour cream; season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture over macaroni. Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
5 Ingredient Mediterranean Feta Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- ½ pound elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 oz. feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 8 oz. sour cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8-9 minutes. Drain.
- Spoon the macaroni into a 2-qt. baking dish. Add oil and feta and stir to combine.
- Mix together the egg and sour cream; season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture over macaroni. Bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Sub the oil with butter.
- Use any type of small pasta.
- It works well with whole wheat and gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
Susan says
Hubby liked it, and he hates sour cream, shh! I added a bit of oregano.
Jas says
Ha! So happy he liked it. 😀
imsen says
Healthy mac n’cheese, pah! That wouldn’t taste good would it?? But then… *takes a forkful*… speechless. OH MY. So good. The “Greek ingredients’ add so much flavor and the crunch of the pita chip topping is to die for! So good. Thanks hon, love everything about this healthy recipe! x
Kim D says
Very good! This was my first time making this dish. I subbed Greek yogurt for the sour cream and used gluten-free brown rice and quinoa pasta.
I think next time I’ll add some Greek seasoning! Thank you for the recipe!
Jas says
Thank you, Kim! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Anna says
I'm making this recipe for the second time tonight - with the addition of sliced Kalamata olives and homemade Greek seasoning!
The first time I made this dish, I had to double the recipe. This time I followed the recipe as instructed with the addition of sliced Kalamata olives and Greek seasoning. It is a big hit!
Jas says
Wow! Love that you're enjoying it so much, Anna!
Tee Ess says
sooo delish!!! also super when ya toss in some good ole olives...for a nice zing with that feta..mayb Kalamata or even Castelvetrano. yummmmm yummmmm yummmmers!!! i also liked a ;bit of fresh mint when i served mine up. oooh la la !
Jas says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Love the addition of olives!
Lyn says
I used herb flavored grass fed butter instead of oil and Mediterranean flavored feta cheese. And chickpea pasta. This was delicious. Also added feta stuffed olives.
Jas says
That sounds amazing! Glad you enjoyed it!
Katie says
I hate being one of those people who say they did something different but I really enjoyed this recipe. I did use light sour cream and added a breadcrumb and Parmesan cheese topping and it came out excellent. It was creamier than I expected. I will definitely make this again!
Jas says
Hi Katie, I can totally relate! 😀 I love playing with food and adding my own personal touches to it, especially when I know how something will taste. If the ingredients are new to me, then I stick to the recipe. Glad you liked this simple dish! Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
Ivan Majhen says
This is so yummy that I don't care about the calories intake
Jas says
Thanks, Ivan! Same here 😀
Mary-The Boondocks Blog says
Jas you can bet this one is going on my list of comfort foods to make. We put feta on everything anyway but I never thought to add sour cream to the mix.
Jas says
You'll love it, Mary! Such a simple, yet yummy dish. xx
Lulu says
I LOVE feta in mac-n-cheese!!
Somebody in my household (husband) ate all of the Travnicki sir (sigh) so I used Dimjleni (smoked) cheese instead. The substitute cheese didn't melt as much as I thought it would but the taste was good any way. (Next time I'll hide the Travnicki sir.) The great thing about this recipe is that there is room for desperate interpretations like mine and I can see myself making it as easily in California as I can in Split or Sarajevo.
Jas says
Oh, man! Travnicki sir is the best! How does a Californian find herself in BiH and Cro? Also, you're making me homesick ❤ Thanks for stopping in!