Description
A flavorful and hearty Spicy Eggplant Pasta combining tender sautéed eggplant with a spicy tomato sauce, fragrant herbs, and perfectly cooked pasta. This Italian-inspired vegetarian main course is easy to prepare on the stovetop and makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium eggplant, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water for later use.
- Sauté the Eggplant: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed eggplant and sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the eggplant is browned and tender.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes, then season with salt and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
- Finish with Herbs and Olive Oil: Stir in fresh chopped basil or parsley. Drizzle with a bit of extra olive oil and mix to combine.
- Serve: Divide into bowls and top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end of cooking.
- Add capers, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the Mediterranean flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
