Description
Creamy pasta tossed with golden-fried halloumi cheese, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and herbs for a hearty Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 250 g pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 200 g halloumi cheese, diced into cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add halloumi and fry until golden on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Sauté garlic and chili flakes for 30 seconds.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Return halloumi to skillet. Add pasta, lemon juice, and reserved water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Stir in chopped basil. Adjust seasoning and serve warm.
Notes
- Use a non-stick or cast iron skillet for best halloumi browning.
- Substitute basil with parsley or arugula for variation.
- Add a splash of cream for a richer texture if desired.
- Best served fresh; halloumi texture may change when reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg