Baked Feta Eggs with Tomatoes & Spinach: A Cozy One-Dish Breakfast That Steals the Show
Imagine sliding a shallow baking dish from a warm oven — the air fills with the tangy, salty perfume of melted feta, brightened by roasted cherry tomatoes and a whisper of garlic. Spoon into each bubbly pocket to find a perfectly set egg: the whites tender and the yolks luxuriously jammy, ready to mingle with wilted spinach and streaks of slick olive oil. Every bite is a layered conversation of textures — creamy cheese, pop-and-sweet tomatoes, silk-like yolk — and a flavor profile that feels both homely and a little celebratory.
This baked feta eggs recipe is perfect for slow weekend mornings, hopeful brunch guests, or a fuss-free weeknight dinner when you want something impressive with minimal active work. It’s a brilliant make-ahead formula for gatherings, and it adapts beautifully for seasonal produce: swap summer tomatoes for oven-roasted winter cherry tomatoes, or add roasted peppers for late-summer warmth. If you’re curious how this version compares to other variations, check out my recent test and notes on baked feta with eggs, tomatoes, and spinach.
Dish Snapshot
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
- Servings: 2 (generous)
- Difficulty Level: Easy (beginner-friendly)
Nutrition Highlights
Nutrition per serving (recipe makes 2 servings). These are estimates calculated from typical ingredient amounts and verified against USDA FoodData Central; use them as guideline values.
- Calories: ~510 kcal
- Protein: ~29 g
- Carbohydrates: ~12 g
- Fat: ~38 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Sodium: ~1,100 mg
Notes: Feta cheese and eggs provide most of the protein and fat; olive oil adds heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Sodium is elevated due to the feta — current guidance (Mayo Clinic and other health authorities) recommends adults limit sodium to no more than 2,300 mg/day, ideally toward 1,500 mg if you have hypertension or cardiovascular risk factors. Adjust by using lower-sodium feta or rinsing a salty block before baking to reduce sodium content.
Perfect For…
- A cozy weekend brunch that looks like you fussed for hours but didn’t.
- Quick, flavorful weeknight dinners when you want comfort without multiple pans.
- Small gatherings — it’s impressive in the oven and easy to scale in wider dishes.
- Seasonally flexible cooking: summer tomatoes shine here, and winter roasted tomatoes bring depth.
This recipe hits emotional notes — it’s the kind of dish that gathers conversation at the table, evokes homemade warmth, and balances indulgence (creamy feta, runny yolks) with vegetables.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 200 g feta cheese (one small block)
- 300–350 g cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
- 4 large eggs
- 100 g fresh baby spinach (loosely packed)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or a few fresh sprigs of thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Optional ingredients / substitutions: - Use 150 g goat cheese for a milder tang; use plant-based feta for a vegan twist (see variations).
- Add sliced red onion or roasted peppers for more savory depth.
- Substitute baby kale or chard for spinach (increase cooking time to wilt).
Method (Step-by-step)
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a shallow baking dish (about 9×6 inches or similar).
- Toss the halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, a pinch of salt (remember feta is salty), and oregano. Spread them in an even layer in the baking dish.
- Nestle the block of feta in the center of the tomatoes (upright or flat — either works). Sprinkle red pepper flakes if using.
- Roast for 12–15 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to soften, blister, and release juices, and the feta is warm and starting to soften.
- Remove the dish from the oven and gently create four small wells among the tomatoes and melted feta. Crack one egg into each well. Scatter the spinach around the eggs (it will wilt down with residual heat and in the oven).
- Return to the oven for another 8–12 minutes, depending on how you like your yolks: ~8–9 minutes for jammy yolks; 10–12 for more set whites and yolks. Keep an eye in the last few minutes to avoid overcooking.
- Remove, let rest 1–2 minutes, then season with freshly ground pepper and garnish with herbs. Serve immediately.
Practical tips:
- Avoid adding a lot of extra salt because feta contributes substantial sodium.
- If your feta is very salty, rinse briefly under cold water and pat dry to remove surface brine.
- For evenly set eggs, ensure tomatoes are blistered and the feta has softened slightly before cracking eggs. Use an oven-safe thermometer (center of dish ~180–190°F) if you want precise doneness.
- If scaling up, use a wide sheet pan and stagger eggs so they don’t run into each other.
For another close take on this dish with slightly different timing and ratios, see this alternate approach: baked feta eggs with tomatoes and spinach.
Serve It Up
- Classic: Spoon straight from the dish onto toasted sourdough or crusty bread so the yolk, juices, and feta make a rich sauce.
- Breakfast bowl: Serve over warm couscous or quinoa for a heartier meal.
- Lighter option: Serve atop a bed of baby arugula with a squeeze of lemon to cut the richness.
- Brunch spread: Pair with grilled halloumi, olives, and warm pita for a Mediterranean-style table.
- Drinks: A bold coffee or a bright herbal tea for breakfast; for brunch, try a crisp dry rosé or sparkling water with a lemon twist.
Presentation tips:
- Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil and scatter chopped herbs just before serving for a polished finish.
- Use contrasting plates (white or deep matte tones) to highlight the dish’s colors: blistered red, white feta, golden yolk, and green spinach.
Shelf Life & Storage
- Room temperature: Best consumed immediately; do not leave out more than 2 hours (per food safety guidelines for egg dishes).
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a low oven (300°F / 150°C) until warmed through to avoid rubbery eggs, or reheat portions in a skillet with a splash of water and a lid to steam gently.
- Freezer: Not recommended for best texture — feta can be frozen (up to 2 months) but eggs become watery and grainy after freezing. If you must freeze, remove eggs first and freeze the tomato-feta base for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and add fresh eggs when reheating.
Chef’s Advice
- Choose a good-quality block feta — the texture and salt level vary widely. Sheep’s milk feta tends to be creamier and richer.
- Let the dish rest for a minute after baking; residual heat finishes the eggs without overcooking.
- For extra creaminess, crumble a small amount of feta over each egg before the final bake so cheese melts into the yolk.
- If you like a smoky depth, roast on the higher end of the temperature range or add a small pinch of smoked paprika.
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes — they make a big impact. If tomatoes are bland out of season, roast a few extra minutes to concentrate sugars.
Creative Twists
- Vegan version: Use a firm tofu “egg” scramble or poach marinated silken tofu rounds, and swap dairy feta for a robust plant-based feta; bake until the tofu warms through and tomatoes are roasted.
- Mediterranean boost: Add sliced kalamata olives, capers, or a spoonful of harissa for heat.
- Green-forward: Replace cherry tomatoes with blistered zucchini and roasted leeks; fold in more leafy greens like kale.
- Cheesy swap: Use goat cheese for a milder tang or halloumi steaks (pan-sear first) for a salty, chewy contrast.
- Spiced variant: Add cumin and coriander to the tomatoes for a North African feel; finish with cilantro and lemon zest.
All Your Questions Answered
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: You can roast the tomato–feta base up to a day ahead and refrigerate. When ready, bring to room temperature, crack in eggs, and finish baking for best texture.
Q: How can I reduce the sodium?
A: Use a lower-sodium or reduced-fat feta, rinse a salty block briefly, or cut the feta amount by 25–50% and add a splash of cream or ricotta to keep creaminess.
Q: How do I know when the eggs are done?
A: Whites should be set and opaque; yolks should wobble slightly for jammy doneness. Bake ~8–9 minutes for jammy yolks at 400°F, 10–12 minutes for more set yolks.
Q: Can I add other vegetables?
A: Yes — roasted peppers, mushrooms, or thinly sliced fennel work well. Make sure to roast firmer vegetables first so everything finishes evenly.
Q: What are good side dishes?
A: Toasted rustic bread, a simple green salad, roasted potatoes, or a bowl of citrusy yogurt all complement this dish nicely.
Conclusion
This baked feta eggs with tomatoes and spinach recipe is an effortless showstopper — bright, comforting, and endlessly adaptable. Try it for your next brunch, swap ingredients to suit what’s in season, and share your photos and tips so we can build a community around simple, delicious one-dish meals. For inspiration on styling and photographing your final dish, I love roundups like 99 Food Photography Tips From Photographers and Sandy Noto’s guide on 101 Food Photography Tips and Tricks — both are great resources to make your plates look as good as they taste.
Enjoy — and if you try this dish, leave a comment with your favorite variation!
Print
Baked Feta Eggs with Tomatoes & Spinach
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy one-dish breakfast featuring baked feta, eggs, roasted cherry tomatoes, and wilted spinach.
Ingredients
- 200 g feta cheese (one small block)
- 300–350 g cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
- 4 large eggs
- 100 g fresh baby spinach (loosely packed)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced or minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or a few fresh sprigs of thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a shallow baking dish (about 9×6 inches or similar).
- Toss the halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, a pinch of salt, and oregano. Spread them in an even layer in the baking dish.
- Nestle the block of feta in the center of the tomatoes. Sprinkle red pepper flakes if using.
- Roast for 12–15 minutes until the tomatoes soften and the feta warms.
- Remove the dish from the oven and create four small wells among the tomatoes and feta. Crack one egg into each well. Scatter the spinach around the eggs.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 8–12 minutes depending on desired yolk firmness.
- Remove, let rest briefly, season with pepper, and garnish with herbs. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use lower-sodium feta or rinse salty feta briefly to manage sodium content. Best served immediately but can be stored up to 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 370mg




