Description

Halloumi Pasta is a fast, flavor-packed dish featuring golden-seared halloumi cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, and aromatic garlic tossed with pasta for a Mediterranean-inspired weeknight meal.

Ingredients

8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
8 oz halloumi cheese, cubed
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

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Instructions

Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
While pasta cooks, pat halloumi dry and cut into bite-sized cubes.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add halloumi and sear until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook until tomatoes soften and begin to burst. Add red pepper flakes if using.
Return pasta and halloumi to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Stir in lemon zest and basil. Season with black pepper and more salt if needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Paneer or firm tofu can be used instead of halloumi for variation.
Add sautéed zucchini or spinach for more veggies.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.