My best friend sent me this viral dinner idea and I can't believe I didn't try it sooner, it is creamy perfection

As soon as the baking dish comes out of the oven, use a spoon to gently mash the feta and tomatoes together right in the dish. Stir until they form a creamy, saucy mixture. Tear or roughly chop the basil leaves and stir most of them into the hot feta-tomato mixture, saving a few for garnish.

Add the drained pasta directly into the glass baking dish. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy feta and tomato sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in a little of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until it reaches your desired creaminess.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with a bit more salt if needed and freshly ground black pepper if you like. Sprinkle the remaining basil on top for a fresh, bright finish. Serve warm right from the baking dish, making sure to scoop up those extra saucy bits from the corners.

For picky eaters, you can lightly mash the tomatoes so there are fewer big chunks, or even blend part of the sauce with a little pasta water for a smoother, pinkish sauce that kids often love. If someone in your family isn’t a fan of strong feta flavor, use half feta and half a mild cream cheese or ricotta to soften the tang while keeping things creamy. Add-ins that stay close to the 5-ingredient spirit include tossing in a handful of baby spinach or frozen peas with the hot pasta so they wilt and warm through, or stirring in some cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken or sliced grilled sausage for extra protein. You can also swap the pasta shape to whatever your family prefers—shells and bowties both hold the sauce nicely. For a lighter version, use whole-wheat or high-protein pasta and cut the feta block slightly smaller, thinning the sauce with extra pasta water. If you like a little kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes over the feta before baking. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or milk to bring the creaminess back, making this a great make-ahead option for next-day lunches.