CHEESY EGGPLANT AND RIGATONI BAKE
Put on your cozy pants and get comfortable with a giant bowl of this cheesy, eggplant-studded pasta. Don't be shy about adding plenty of reserved pasta cooking water to the sauce; it's the magical ingredient that creates a silky sauce and keeps the pasta moist while baking. A little grated ricotta salata to finish adds a slight tangy bite that rounds everything out - but, truthfully, more Parmesan or any firm, salted cheese will do.
Provided by Sue Li
Categories dinner, pastas, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions but keep it slightly more al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking water, then drain and rinse pasta under cold water, and transfer to a large bowl while you cook the eggplant.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet over medium. Add half the eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until golden brown on all sides, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the rigatoni. Repeat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and remaining eggplant and transfer to the bowl.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet over medium. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in red-pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes and their juices, crushing the tomatoes with your hands as you add them. Cook until the tomatoes are very soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the reserved pasta cooking water, adding up to 1 1/2 cups as needed to create a silky sauce.
- If the skillet is large enough, add the rigatoni and eggplant mixture, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup basil and toss to coat. Otherwise, add the tomato sauce, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup basil to the large bowl with the rigatoni and eggplant, toss to coat and then return to the skillet or transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Top with remaining 3 cups mozzarella and bake until the sauce is bubbling on the sides and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Top with grated ricotta salata and torn fresh basil to serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 557, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 880 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams
CHEESY EGGPLANT BAKE
Since New Jersey is the Garden State, I think this recipe represents our region. This dish uses a lot of vegetables out of the garden.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cut eggplant into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Place in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. , In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, garlic salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat eggs. Dip eggplant into eggs, then coat with crumb mixture., In a large skillet, cook eggplant in 2 tablespoons oil for 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Transfer to an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. In the same skillet, saute the green pepper, onion and mushrooms in remaining oil for 5 minutes or until pepper and onion are crisp-tender. Sprinkle over eggplant. Top with tomatoes. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25 minutes. Place cheese slices over the top. Bake 25-30 minutes longer or until cheese is lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 16g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 128mg cholesterol, Sodium 1609mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 14g protein.
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