Baked Feta, Butter Beans & Tomatoes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy one-pan dinner - everything is baked together in one dish, meaning minimal prep and washing up.
• Packed with flavour - salty feta, sweet tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, chilli and hot honey make every bite delicious.
• A good source of protein and fibre - from the feta and beans!
• Vegetarian-friendly - a simple meat-free meal that doesn't feel like it's missing anything.
• Perfect with crusty bread - the creamy feta and tomato sauce is made for dipping and scooping.

Key Tips / Guidance

Don't skip the hot honey. The sweet heat works particularly well with the salty feta and juicy tomatoes. If you don't have hot honey, regular honey works perfectly with an extra pinch of chilli flakes.

Use a good block of feta. A block of feta tends to become beautifully soft and creamy when baked, whereas pre-crumbled feta can dry out more easily.

Don't overbake the feta. You want it soft and creamy rather than completely dried out. Keep an eye on it towards the end of cooking, as ovens can vary.

Serve it straight away. This recipe is at its best when the feta is warm and creamy and the tomato mixture is bubbling.

Have plenty of bread ready. The tomato and feta mixture creates a delicious sauce, so garlic bread or crusty baguette is ideal for scooping everything up.

Ingredients

Feta

Tomatoes

Butter beans

Garlic

Basil

Chilli flakes

Hot honey

Extra virgin olive oil

Garlic bread or baguette

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add the tomatoes and beans

Add the chopped tomatoes, butter beans, cherry tomatoes, garlic, chopped basil, chilli flakes and flaky salt to a 9x9 inch baking dish. Season with a little black pepper and stir everything together.

2. Add the feta

Nestle the block of feta into the centre of the tomato and bean mixture. Drizzle over the extra virgin olive oil and hot honey.

3. Bake

Bake at 200°C fan for 15 minutes. Carefully rotate the dish, then return it to the oven for another 5–10 minutes, until the tomatoes are bubbling and the feta is soft and golden on top.

4. Finish and serve

Scatter over the reserved fresh basil and serve immediately with warm garlic bread or crusty baguette. Spoon the creamy feta, beans and tomatoes onto the bread as you eat.

Substitutions

Butter beans: Cannellini beans, chickpeas or haricot beans can be used instead of butter beans.

Feta: You could substitute with ricotta or goats cheese, but the flavour will be different! 

Cherry tomatoes: You can use extra chopped tomatoes instead, although the fresh cherry tomatoes add lovely bursts of sweetness.

Fresh basil: Use fresh parsley or oregano if that's what you have available.

Hot honey: Regular honey works well. Add extra chilli flakes if you want to recreate the heat.

Bread: Serve with sourdough, crusty baguette, rye bread, flatbread or toasted pitta instead of garlic bread.

How to Store / Use Leftovers

Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.

Reheat in the microwave or in a covered ovenproof dish in the oven until piping hot. 

What to Eat With

This baked feta is best served with something you can use to scoop up the creamy tomato and feta mixture.

• Warm garlic bread
• Crusty baguette
• Sourdough
• Toasted pitta
• Flatbread

For a lighter meal, serve it with a big green salad, lemony wilted spinach, roasted vegetables or a grain such as quinoa or bulgur wheat.

FAQ

Can I use canned butter beans?

Yes. Drain and rinse the butter beans well before adding them to the baking dish. The recipe uses 240g cooked butter beans, which is roughly the drained weight of a standard can.

Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?

Absolutely. Regular honey works really well with the salty feta and sweet tomatoes. Add a little extra chilli if you want some heat.

Can I make baked feta with other beans?

Yes. Cannellini beans, chickpeas and haricot beans all work well. Butter beans are particularly good because they have a creamy texture.

Can I make this recipe without chilli?

Yes. Simply leave out the chilli flakes and use regular honey instead of hot honey for a milder version.

Can I make baked feta ahead of time?

You can prepare the tomato and bean mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. For the best results, add the feta, olive oil and honey just before baking.

How long does baked feta keep?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.