Roasted Eggplant Pasta with Goat Cheese

Hi there!

I have a great recipe for you tonight. I found this recipe from one of Rachael Ray's cookbooks and I am GLAD I made it! It really reminded me of Eggplant Parmesan without all of the work of frying the eggplant :) The Goat Cheese (well she uses Ricotta Salata) is a nice creamy taste when combined with the eggplant pasta sauce! So want to know how to make it? It is easy! Let's get started.

Ingredients:

• 2 small, firm eggplants, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• 6 garlic cloves, cracked from the skins (I used 9)
• 1 lb penne rigate pasta
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (I used red onion)
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 20-25 fresh basil leaves, shredded or torn
• 2 cups ricotta salata cheese, crumbled (any type of crumbled goat cheese will do)

Let's cook! Turn on the oven to 425F while you cut up the eggplant and crack the garlic. Place the garlic and eggplant on a baking sheet (I had to use two). Brush eggplant and garlic with 1/2 cup olive oil and lightly salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes (I found 18 minutes did just fine).

Cook your pasta according to package directions. While the eggplant is roasting and the pasta is cooking, chop up the onion and basil. Here is a trick I use when cutting fresh basil. I gather several leaves together and roll them up. Then slice. You have nice little strips of basil when you are finished.

Ok! Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the onions. Meanwhile, the eggplant should be finished. Take it out and place it into a food processor and process into a smooth paste. Add the paste to the onions and stir in the tomatoes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed and heat the tomatoes. Right before serving, mix in the basil.

And you are finished! Easy right? And it is VERY tasty! Serve in a nice bowl and top with the goat cheese. ENJOY!

Let's have a look:


You can't see the eggplant but you sure can taste it! I recommend pairing with a nice red wine. We picked up this one from our local wine store, WineStyles. It is called Good Dog ... Bad Dog. Really nice!

Cute label right? Well, what are you waiting for? Head to the grocery, pick up these ingredients, and treat yourself to a great home cooked meal!