Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Italian cuisine with our delectable pasta dishes featuring eggplant and basil sauce. Experience a symphony of flavors as tender eggplant, roasted to perfection, blends harmoniously with aromatic basil pesto. Dive into a world of culinary delights, where each recipe offers a unique twist on this classic combination. From a simple yet flavorful pasta tossed with eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and basil, to a more elaborate dish featuring eggplant meatballs simmering in a rich tomato sauce, these recipes cater to every palate. Explore the versatility of eggplant and basil as they transform ordinary pasta into extraordinary meals.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
PASTA ALLA NORMA (EGGPLANT PASTA)
Recipe video above. This is a traditional Italian pasta dish from Sicily, usually begun by cooking eggplant on the stove in a hefty amount of oil. I prefer roasting the eggplant - less oil plus the eggplant holds its shape better, especially when you roast at a high temp to caramelise the surface!Finishing with a good amount of fresh basil is traditional but even if you don't have any, there's other alternatives to add a touch of other flavour - such as fresh thyme, or extra dried herbs in the sauce.This is an excellent and satisfyingly "meaty" vegetarian main dish that will have even card-carrying carnivores asking for seconds!
Provided by Nagi
Categories Mains
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line a tray with baking / parchment paper.
- Toss eggplant with oil, salt and pepper. Spread on the tray and roast for 20 minutes.
- Flip, then roast for a further 5 minutes. Cool on tray (this helps the eggplant hold its shape when tossing).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Start cooking the pasta a couple of minutes after you start making the sauce (next section), until al dente or to your liking.
- Heat oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 20 seconds until golden, then add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and cooked through.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add wine, if using. Let it simmer, scraping the base of the pan to deglaze, until the wine mostly evaporates.
- Add tomato passata. Now pour the water into the passata bottle, screw on the lid, shake, and pour that in too (waste nothing!)
- Add dried herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in eggplant, then add cooked and drained pasta. GENTLY toss until pasta is coated in the sauce (so the eggplant doesn't turn into complete mush!).
- Serve immediately, garnished with a good pinch of fresh basil and parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 530 kcal, Carbohydrate 83 g, Protein 15 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 828 mg, Fiber 12 g, Sugar 18 g, ServingSize 1 serving
FRESH BASIL PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND TOMATO
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Make the pasta: Whisk both flours, the basil, both cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk the milk, eggs and olive oil in a separate bowl, then pour into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until the dough comes together. Knead the dough on a floured surface with floured hands until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed so the dough is soft but not sticky. Wrap in plastic wrap; let rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
- Cut the dough into quarters. Working with one piece at a time (keep the rest wrapped in plastic), roll the dough through a pasta machine on the thickest setting. Continue rolling the dough through progressively thinner settings, dusting with flour as needed, until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Using a knife, cut the sheet of dough into 4-by-1/4-inch noodles. Dust the noodles with more flour, then scatter on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cover the pasta with a kitchen towel and set aside until ready to cook or refrigerate up to 4 hours.
- Make the sauce: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Toss the eggplant, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Spread on a baking sheet and roast, stirring once or twice, until tender and browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil with the garlic and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the garlic is tender and golden, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, then add 1 cup water to the empty can and add to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until it floats to the top and is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water; drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add the sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring, until coated, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, three-quarters of the eggplant, the mozzarella and 1/4 cup torn basil. Add the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen. Transfer to a large shallow bowl. Top with the remaining eggplant and 1/4 cup torn basil; sprinkle with pecorino.
TRENETTE WITH EGGPLANT AND BASIL PESTO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 44m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the oil until the mixture is smooth and thick. Add the cheese and pulse until just incorporated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Put the pasta into a large serving bowl and add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Toss until coated.
- In a large, nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until the eggplant turns golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool slightly. Add the pesto and toss until the eggplant is coated.
- Add the eggplant mixture to the serving bowl with the pasta and toss until all of the ingredients are coated. Thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve.
- Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly toasted, about 5 to 6 minutes. Cool completely before using.
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.
PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND BASIL SAUCE
Provided by Karin Korvin
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, onions, eggplant and garlic; sauté until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup basil, pine nuts, thyme and rosemary and sauté until eggplant softens, about 10 minutes. Mix in broth. Simmer sauce until eggplant is very tender and liquids begin to thicken, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)
- Add penne to sauce in Dutch oven. Toss until sauce coats pasta. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
PASTA WITH EGGPLANT SAUCE
Provided by Moira Hodgson
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 2h25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cut the eggplant in slices one-quarter-inch thick. Place slices in layers in a colander, salting as you go. Leave for one hour. Wipe the eggplant dry with paper towels.
- Dredge the slices lightly with flour. Heat the oil in a large skillet and fry the eggplant a few slices at a time until golden on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare the sauce. Using one-quarter cup of the oil you have used for the eggplant, sautee the onion until soft. Add the meat, oregano, cinnamon, salt and pepper, tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for one hour, covered.
- Cut eggplant into strips.
- Cook the pasta in five quarts boiling water, until al dente.
- Place the pasta in a heated serving dish. Add the sauce and arrange the eggplant on top. Sprinkle with the basil and serve. Pass the cheese separately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 941, UnsaturatedFat 53 grams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 66 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 889 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 1 gram
EGGPLANT PASTA BAKE
Layers of eggplant, pasta, and a puree of vegetables called a sofrito create a dense, creamy casserole that is filling and nutritious.
Provided by John Stine
Categories Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes Noodles
Time 1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly oil a large, deep casserole dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Arrange the sliced eggplant on a greased cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- In a food processor, puree the onion, bell pepper, garlic and optional ancho chile pepper. If the mixture is too thick add a tablespoon of water. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pour the onion mixture into the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Add milk, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Arrange half of the baked eggplant in the greased casserole dish. Spoon in half of the white sauce, covering the eggplant. Spread the veggie crumbles over the white sauce, followed by the pasta, and a layer of the bell pepper puree. Cover the the onion and pepper mixture with remaining eggplant and spoon the remaining white sauce over the eggplant. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420.2 calories, Carbohydrate 40.9 g, Cholesterol 41.3 mg, Fat 19.5 g, Fiber 6.7 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 382.7 mg, Sugar 7.8 g
PASTA WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT, RICOTTA, AND BASIL
Categories Cheese Herb Pasta Vegetable Appetizer Quick & Easy Fall Gourmet Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- In a jelly-roll pan toss eggplant with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper to taste and roast in oven, shaking pan occasionally, until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- While eggplant is roasting, in a heavy skillet cook onion, garlic, and bell pepper with salt and pepper to taste in remaining tablespoon oil over moderate heat, stirring, until softened.
- Add tomatoes and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes and pepper are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in vinegar and roasted eggplant.
- In a kettle of boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente and drain well, reserving about 3/4 cup cooking water. In a bowl toss pasta well with sauce, ricotta, basil, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste, and enough reserved cooking water to reach desired consistency.
PASTA WITH EGGPLANT SAUCE
This was my mother's recipe and is a nice way to incorporate eggplant into a meal. The thick, chunky sauce is splendid. I like to have it with a glass of red wine, crusty Italian bread and a tossed salad.-Jean Lawrence, Rochester, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, saute the eggplant, onion, parsley and garlic in oil until tender. , Stir in the tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, mushrooms, sugar, oregano and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta. Serve with sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 385 calories, Fat 11g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 782mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant: Look for small, firm eggplants with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid eggplants that are large, soft, or have blemishes, as these may be bitter.
- Salt the eggplant: Salting the eggplant before cooking helps to remove excess moisture and prevent it from becoming bitter. Be sure to rinse the eggplant thoroughly after salting to remove any excess salt.
- Use a good quality olive oil: Olive oil is a key ingredient in this dish, so be sure to use a good quality oil that has a fruity, flavorful taste.
- Cook the eggplant properly: Eggplant should be cooked until it is tender but not mushy. Be careful not to overcook the eggplant, as this will make it tough and bitter.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh basil and parsley add a lot of flavor to this dish. If you don't have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use less, as they are more concentrated.
Conclusion:
Pasta with eggplant and basil sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer meal. The eggplant is tender and flavorful, the sauce is creamy and pesto-like, and the basil adds a refreshing touch. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
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