CREAMY MUSHROOM, EGGPLANT, AND SALAMI BAKED PASTA

Creamy Mushroom, Eggplant, and Salami Baked Pasta image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup fresh ricotta
1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 pound dried medium shells
2 ounces thinly sliced Genoa salami, chopped
3 cups shredded Asiago cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of the tomatoes, the oregano and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the ricotta and season with salt and pepper.
While the sauce simmers, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add the eggplant and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes; transfer to the bowl with eggplant.
Cook the shells in the water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl with the eggplant and mushrooms.
Add the tomato sauce, salami, half the Asiago and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining Asiago and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta rest for about 10 minutes before serving.