Feta & Tomato Roast Potatoes

Name: Feta & Tomato Roast Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Yield: 4–6 as a side
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

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roubashahin.com.au

Sides

Creamy melted feta, roasted tomatoes and crispy potatoes tossed in garlic and chilli — my spin on the tray bake everyone's been making!

PREP TIME

15 minutes

COOK TIME

45-50 minutes

SERVES

4–6 as a side

About this recipe

There’s something about a tray of roast potatoes and tomatoes with a big block of feta softening in the middle that just makes a cosy night in feel a little more special. This one’s my take on the feta and tomato tray bake that’s been going around social media — a Mediterranean-style combination of potatoes, cherry tomatoes and a big block of feta, all roasted together until everything is soft and golden.

I’ve always loved a good potato side, and this one sits somewhere between my Garlic Coriander Roast Potatoes and my Pan-Fried Potatoes With Sweet Onion — that same warm, garlicky base I keep coming back to. What’s more, I couldn’t leave the trend as it was. The garlic, chilli and spring onion mixture that goes over the top is actually my traditional batata hara mixture — the one I make time and time again with roast potatoes — and bringing it into this dish is what makes it mine. That’s the twist: a viral, Mediterranean-style tray bake carrying a little bit of my own kitchen through it.

As a result, this tray became a firm side dish for us — barely any effort, and the oven does most of the work. Best of all, that final toss of sautéed garlic and chilli through the softened feta and roast potatoes is what takes it from a nice tray bake to something I’d genuinely make again and again.

Ingredients

5 large potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
200 gram block of Danish feta
Salt and cracked pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 long red chilli, finely diced
5 garlic cloves, finely diced
3 spring onions, finely chopped
Olive oil, for drizzling
Handful of chopped coriander, to garnish

Notes from Rouba

Sit the feta block right in the centre of the tray so it softens and melts as everything roasts.
Don’t skip sautéing the garlic, chilli and spring onion — it’s what gives these that classic batata hara flavour I love.

Method

Step 1. Roast the Potatoes and Tomatoes

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).

Place the potatoes and cherry tomatoes in a large roasting pan, then season with salt, paprika and cracked pepper, and dried oregano. Toss everything with olive oil, then sit the block of feta in the centre and drizzle with a little more olive oil before roasting. Roast until the potatoes are tender and golden, about 45–50 minutes.

Step 2. Make the Garlic Chilli Mixture

While the potatoes roast, finely dice the chilli and garlic, and chop the spring onions. When the potatoes are ready, take the tray out of the oven and mix everything through, along with the feta.

Step 3. Combine and Finish

Sauté the garlic chilli mixture in a pan until fragrant, then toss it over the potatoes and tomatoes. Season with a touch more cracked pepper and finish with the chopped coriander.

A Few Things You'll Want to Know

Can I use a different cheese instead of feta?
Danish feta is what gives this its creamy, tangy pull, but a soft goat's cheese would work in a similar way if that's what you have on hand.

Do I really need to sauté the garlic mixture, or can I just toss it in raw?
Sautéing it first is what takes the edge off the raw garlic and chilli and brings out that fragrant, golden flavour — it only takes a couple of minutes and makes a real difference.

What do I serve this with?
It's lovely on its own with warm bread to mop up the tray, or alongside grilled meat as part of a bigger spread.

Can I make this ahead?
It's best fresh from the oven while the feta is still soft and melting, but you can always prep the potatoes and tomatoes ahead and roast just before serving.

What kind of potatoes should I use?
Any all-rounder potato works well here — you just want something that holds its shape while roasting rather than falling apart.