Part 3 of our healthy recipes on a budget with guest blogger, Sarah Powell: Roasted Cheese Pasta for Big Families
Roasted Tomato and Cheese sauce with Pasta for Big Families on a Budget (Yes, It’s THAT Viral Pasta—But Better!)
If you’ve seen the viral TikTok feta pasta, you’re not alone. But if you’re feeding a house full of teenagers, neurodivergent kids with selective tastes, or just trying to keep your grocery bill under control without losing your mind — then THIS version is for you.
Welcome to real-life, big-family dinner: budget-friendly, flexible, no-frills delicious, and absolutely doable on a busy weeknight.
👩👧👦 Feeding a Big Family on a Real Budget
I’m Sarah — mom of five, autism advocate, and the woman behind Pancakes & Pandemonium. Our home is full of love, laughter, learning, and let’s be honest — a lot of appetites. With my husband being a disabled veteran and just finished his degree we live on a limited income, which means I’ve had to master the art of feeding a big family without breaking the bank.
Here’s my rhythm:
- I start the month with a $500 grocery haul once rent is paid
- Then, I do $180–$200 a week for the rest of the month (that’s $1300 a month or Less-that’s $500 less than the USDA Thrifty recommendation!)
- I live by sales, coupons, markdowns, and flexibility.
We don’t aim for Pinterest perfection. We aim for healthy-ish, hearty, and happy.
Viral Pasta, Autism-Mom Approved
This baked cheese and tomato pasta recipe is my spin on the viral TikTok feta pasta — but I scale it up for big portions, swap in budget buys, and keep it flexible. No boutique cheese shop trips here. Just your local clearance bin and a little weeknight magic.
And bonus? It’s totally customizable for selective eaters, sensory preferences, and the whole crew. Add protein, skip spice, mix in veggies, or keep it basic — it still works.
Big Family Baked Cheese Pasta Recipe
✅ Easy | 🍅 Vegetarian | 💰 Budget-Friendly | 👨👩👧👦 Family-Sized
Ingredients:
- 3 pints cocktail tomatoes (I used tomatoes on the vine — any grape/cherry will work)
- 2 containers soft cheese (Alotta brand from the markdown fridge — feta, Boursin, or even cream cheese blends work)
- ¼–⅓ cup olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 16–20 oz pasta (This time I used Target clearance tortellini, but rotini, penne, or shells are perfect)
- Optional add-ins: garlic, basil, spinach, red pepper flakes, shredded rotisserie chicken
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Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a 9×13 baking dish, toss tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Nestle the cheese in the center and drizzle a bit more oil on top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until tomatoes burst and cheese is soft and golden.
- While baking, cook pasta and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- Mash tomatoes and cheese together in the dish to form a creamy sauce.
- Add pasta and a splash of reserved water if needed. Stir until well combined.
- Serve hot with optional toppings or protein.
Mom-to-Mom Tip: Use What You’ve Got
The night I made this, I scored clearance tortellini at Target — so I swapped it in. That’s how I shop and cook: flexible, smart, and always with one eye on the markdowns. If you’ve got dry pasta, great. If you’ve got frozen ravioli, go wild. This meal is about making it work!
Check out this another recipe guest blog that we put out on Friday: Making Meatloaf Burgers
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