Caponata Pasta Bake: A Flavorful Fusion of Italian Delights
Indulge in a culinary journey to the heart of Sicily with Caponata Pasta Bake, a vibrant and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Italian cuisine. This delectable recipe brings together the sweet and tangy notes of caponata, a traditional Sicilian dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, and a medley of Mediterranean flavors, with the comforting warmth of pasta. Imagine tender pasta enveloped in a rich and savory sauce, generously topped with a golden-brown crust of melted cheese. Each bite offers a symphony of textures and flavors, from the soft eggplant and succulent tomatoes to the al dente pasta and the gooey, melted cheese. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to impress with its ease of preparation and the explosion of flavors it delivers. So, prepare to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure with Caponata Pasta Bake, a dish that promises to leave you craving for more.
In addition to the classic Caponata Pasta Bake recipe, the article features a collection of variations and alternatives to cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. For those who prefer a vegetarian delight, there's a meatless version that replaces the ground beef with a combination of hearty vegetables, offering a symphony of flavors and textures. If you're gluten-free, rejoice in the alternative recipe that utilizes gluten-free pasta, ensuring you can savor this delicious dish without compromise. And for those seeking a touch of indulgence, the article presents a creamy version of Caponata Pasta Bake, where a velvety béchamel sauce takes center stage, adding a luscious and decadent touch to the dish. With its versatility and customizable options, Caponata Pasta Bake promises to satisfy every palate and create a memorable dining experience.
CAPONATA PASTA
Whip up our easy vegetarian caponata pasta in just 20 minutes. It's simple to make and packs three of your five-a-day into one delicious meal
Provided by Cassie Best
Categories Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until starting to caramelise (or for longer if you have time - the sweeter the better). Add the garlic for the final 2 mins of cooking time.
- Tip in the mixed veg, tomatoes, capers and raisins. Season well and simmer, uncovered, for 10 mins, or until you have a rich sauce.
- Meanwhile, boil the kettle. Pour the kettleful of water into a large pan with a little salt and bring back to the boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender with a little bite, then drain, reserving some of the pasta water. Tip the pasta into the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if it needs loosening. Scatter with the basil leaves and parmesan, if you like, and serve straight from the pan
Nutrition Facts : Calories 542 calories, Fat 14 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 85 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 21 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 14 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium
EGGPLANT CAPONATA PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND BASIL
This weeknight pasta is inspired by traditional caponata, a tangy, salty-sweet Italian dish made with sautéed eggplant, tomatoes, caramelized onions, capers, anchovies, olives and vinegar. Though caponata is often served as a side, salad or relish, this eggplant sauté forms the foundation of a hearty vegetarian pasta. For the best results, taste and season your eggplant mixture with salt and pepper as you cook little by little - or even recklessly. It should taste quite salty and tangy on its own, but will mellow when tossed with pasta, pasta water and creamy ricotta.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories dinner, weekday, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the raisins, sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and let cook about 2 minutes, then cover and set aside.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high. Stir in half the eggplant to coat evenly in the oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. (Eggplant should brown and tenderize but still maintain its shape.) Heat another 1/4 cup oil, then add remaining eggplant; season and repeat.
- While the eggplant cooks, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. (You might not use all the pasta water.)
- Add another 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the shallot, pine nuts, capers, garlic and red-pepper flakes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the eggplant, along with the sliced basil and vinegar.
- Strain the soaked raisins, discarding the soaking liquid, then add the raisins to the eggplant mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. The mixture should taste quite aggressively salty and tangy, but it will mellow when tossed with pasta and ricotta. (Eggplant mixture can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
- Add eggplant mixture, pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the pot. Toss to coat over medium heat until eggplant is warmed, adding extra pasta water if necessary. Divide among shallow bowls, top with ricotta and additional torn basil and serve immediately. Pass with additional olive oil for drizzling, if desired.
CAPONATA BAKE
This healthy, comforting veggie bake is topped with cheesy potato slices and packs in all 5 of your 5-a-day, along with calcium, vitamin C, iron and fibre
Provided by Sara Buenfeld
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper
Time 50m
Yield Makes 2 (serves 4)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the grill to high. Boil the potato slices for 10 mins, then drain, tip into a bowl (don't worry if they break up a little) and add the milk and half the cheese. Mix together.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until softened. Spoon in the balsamic vinegar and bouillon powder, then stir in the tomatoes, aubergine, peppers, basil and garlic. Cover and cook for 20 mins, stirring frequently and adding a little water if necessary, until the aubergine is tender when tested with a knife.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the olives, capers and parsley. Tip into two shallow baking dishes. Cover with the potatoes and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- If you are following our Healthy Diet Plan, grill the one you are eating now until golden. While it's grilling, steam or boil half the broccoli to serve with the bake. To reheat on the second day, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and bake for 30-40 mins until bubbling and golden. Cook the remaining broccoli to serve with it.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439 calories, Fat 14 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 54 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 25 grams sugar, Fiber 16 grams fiber, Protein 18 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium
CAPONATA PASTA BAKE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat broiler to high.
- Reheat caponata in the microwave or on the stovetop. Cook pasta until al dente in salted water, drain and transfer back into hot pot. Add hot caponata and combine.
- Transfer pasta and vegetables to a (9 by 13-inch) baking dish. Top with shredded provolone, crushed pepper flakes, and parsley.
- Place baking dish under broiler to brown and bubble cheese. Serve immediately.
- If you prepare a salad, keep it simple. Mixed greens tossed with fresh herbs, dressed with oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Place the cutting board near the stovetop. Preheat a big, deep pot over medium heat. Add oil, garlic, and crushed pepper. As you chop vegetables (peppers, onion, and celery), add them to the pot. Once vegetables are in there, increase heat a bit.
- Stir in olives and capers, raisins. Salt the diced eggplant and stir into the pot. Add tomatoes, diced and crushed, to the pot and stir caponata well to combine. Cover pot and cook caponata 15 to 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir in parsley and remove pan from heat.
NORTHERN ITALIAN CAPONATA WITH POTATOES
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings as a side dish
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat 2 large nonstick pans over high heat. Divide the olive oil between the 2 pans, when the oil is hot add the vegetables all together and season with gray salt and pepper, to taste, and chili flakes. Saute all of the vegetables together for about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the pine nuts and orange zest and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until all of the vegetables are soft and the flavors are well infused.
- Meanwhile in a small saute pan combine the vinegar with the sugar and the raisins, bring to a boil and reduce until slightly syrupy. When the vegetables are cooked and still hot combine with the vinegar syrup and the basil, taste for salt and pepper and serve hot as a side dish.
ROASTED EGGPLANT CAPONATA
Provided by Ina Garten
Time 3h38m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
- Place the whole eggplant on the pan, prick with a fork in several places, and rub with olive oil. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, until the eggplant is very soft when pierced with a knife. Set aside to cool. Halve the eggplant, peel, and discard the skin. Place the eggplant, peppers, and olives in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until coarsely chopped. Pour into a mixing bowl.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onion and red pepper flakes and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the onion is lightly browned. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute, and add to the eggplant mixture. Add the parsley, pine nuts, lemon juice, capers, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and pepper and mix. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature with toasted pita triangles.
EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)
Delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold! Serve with toasted crusty bread.
Provided by rocks_67
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Antipasto Recipes
Time 1h34m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
- Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
- Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 297 mg, Sugar 2.2 g
CAPONATA PASTA BAKE
this uses the crock-pot caponata I posted before. http://www.justapinch.com/recipe/joan-hunt/caponata-in-a-crock-pot/quick-easy-healthy-vegetarian-dip? This is a great use of leftovers the next day.
Provided by Joan Hunt
Categories Pasta
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Put a large pot of water on to boil pasta. while we are waiting on it to come to a boil. take leftover caponata and put it in a sauce pan. bring it to a low simmer and allow to simmer until pasta is cooked thru.
- 2. Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot. Toss with the 1/2 cup grated rice topping. Add Hot caponata and mix well.
- 3. Transfer to a baking dish. Top with shredded vegan cheese, crushed red pepper, and parsley. place baking dish under the broiler to brown and bubble the cheese. serve immediately.
CAPONATA
Caponata is a Sicilian sweet and sour version of ratatouille. Because eggplant absorbs flavors like a sponge, it's particularly good in such a pungent dish. Like most eggplant dishes, this gets better overnight. It's meant to be served at room temperature, and I like it cold as well. It makes a great topping for bruschetta.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Time 1h
Yield Serves 6 to 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Roast the eggplant, allow to cool and chop coarsely.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook together for a minute, until the garlic begins to smell fragrant, and add the peppers and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring, until just about tender, about 8 minutes. Add another tablespoon of oil and the eggplant, and stir together for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. The eggplant will fall apart, which is fine. Season to taste.
- Add the tomatoes to the pan with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of sugar. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan often, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and they smell fragrant. Add the capers, olives, remaining sugar, and vinegar. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the mixture is quite thick, sweet, and fragrant. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature. If possible, cover and chill overnight. Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 100, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 502 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams
Tips:
- To save time, you can use jarred caponata instead of making your own.
- If you don't have any day-old bread, you can make fresh breadcrumbs by toasting slices of bread in the oven and then crumbling them.
- If you like your pasta bake with a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta. Penne, rigatoni, and ziti are all great options.
- Serve the pasta bake with a side of salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
Caponata pasta bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover caponata. With its flavorful sauce, crispy breadcrumb topping, and tender pasta, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
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