Eggplant Pasta Casserole Recipe

This Eggplant Pasta Casserole recipe combines roasted eggplant, rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, and a mix of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, making a comforting and flavorful dish. It’s a wholesome vegetarian meal filled with greens and tacky goodness, good for weeknight dinners or household gatherings. The eggplant is roasted to perfection, including a wealthy taste to the casserole, whereas the melted cheese and marinara sauce convey every part collectively. With easy elements and easy-to-follow directions, this baked pasta casserole is a superb alternative for anybody trying to get pleasure from a healthful, tacky, and satisfying meal.

Elements:

2 medium eggplants, reduce into 1-inch items
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, plus extra to style
Black pepper to style
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon crushed purple pepper
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 28-ounce jar marinara sauce
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup recent basil leaves, torn, plus further for serving

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Put together the eggplant: Place the eggplant, olive oil, salt, and black pepper on the ready sheet pan. Toss to coat evenly. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping midway by way of. After 20 minutes, add the chopped onion, garlic, and crushed purple pepper, then return to the oven and roast for a further quarter-hour till the eggplant is golden brown and caramelized.
Prepare dinner the pasta: Whereas the eggplant roasts, convey a big pot of closely salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and prepare dinner till simply barely al dente. Reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and rinse it underneath chilly water to cease the cooking course of.
Assemble the casserole: Switch the cooked pasta to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the marinara sauce and stir in as a lot of the reserved pasta cooking water as wanted till the sauce turns into shiny and coats the pasta.
Mix the roasted eggplant: As soon as the eggplant combination is prepared, add it on prime of the pasta within the baking dish. Fold within the parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of recent basil leaves. High with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake the casserole: Decrease the oven temperature to 375°F and bake for 25 minutes, or till the sauce is effervescent on the edges and the cheese is melted and golden.
Serve: Take away from the oven and prime with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves earlier than serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Eggplant Pasta Casserole is an ideal mixture of consolation meals and wholesome greens. The roasted eggplant provides a wealthy, caramelized taste, and the mozzarella and parmesan present the final word tacky, melty goodness. It’s an effective way to include extra greens right into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Ideas, Variations, and Substitutions

Vegetarian Model: This recipe is already vegetarian! For additional protein, think about including a layer of cooked lentils or chickpeas.
Gluten-Free Choice: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
Spicy Kick: Add extra crushed purple pepper or some purple pepper flakes for a spicier casserole.
Cheese Choices: For those who don’t have mozzarella, attempt substituting with provolone or fontina for a distinct taste profile.
Add Extra Greens: For added diet, think about including zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to the eggplant combination earlier than roasting.

FAQs

Can I take advantage of a distinct kind of pasta? Sure, you possibly can substitute rigatoni with different kinds of pasta comparable to penne, ziti, or fusilli.

How do I retailer leftovers? Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat within the oven at 350°F till warmed by way of.

Can I freeze this casserole? Sure, you possibly can freeze the casserole earlier than baking. Assemble the dish, cowl it tightly, and freeze for as much as 3 months. When able to bake, let it thaw in a single day within the fridge, then bake as instructed.

Serving

Serve this Eggplant Pasta Casserole as a fundamental course alongside a crisp inexperienced salad or garlic bread for a full meal. The wealthy flavors pair nicely with a lightweight, refreshing aspect dish like a cucumber and tomato salad.

Options

Pair with a glass of purple wine, comparable to a medium-bodied Chianti or a Cabernet Sauvignon, to enrich the hearty flavors of the casserole.
For a recent crowning glory, sprinkle with additional recent basil or a drizzle of balsamic glaze earlier than serving.