Eggplant Pasta Sauce on Penne
Italian Cuisine is so amazingly versatile. And as a vegetarian, I can find something or other I can eat in an Italian restaurant. Sometimes I think that I make Italian, Mexican and Greek food items more often than Indian! I am not by any means an expert in Italian cuisine, but I do make Italian dishes often, and sometimes my own way. So I humbly present this recipe.
 Eggplant Pasta Sauce on Penne…tasty |
 Eggplant Pasta Sauce on Penne |
Hover over the highlighted Keywords below for Images and/or Description of some of the Ingredients:
Black Pepper, Cayenne, ~Eggplant, Olive Oil, Oregano, Rice
Eggplant Pasta Sauce on Penne
Print recipeIngredients
- 2 cups Penne Pasta
- 1 Large Eggplant (Cut into 1 inch pieces (see picture))
- 1 Onion (finely chopped)
- 6 - 8 cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 sprig Parsley (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoons Italian blend spice
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 2 - 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
- 1 can Tomato Sauce
- 1 - 2 quart Water
Note
Serving Suggestions:
1) Serve hot with Pasta or Rice.
Options:
1) You can add a cup of blended creamy cottage cheese with the tomato sauce. This will reduce the tanginess of the tomato sauce and make the sauce creamy. Adds protein for vegetarians.
2) You can mix the cooked pasta to the sauce, place it in a casserole, top it with grated Mozzarella cheese and heat in the Microwave Oven until cheese is melted.
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Add oil to a deep fry pan on medium heat. | |
| Step 2 | |
| When oil is hot, add onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir fry for 5 minutes or until onion is cooked. | |
| Step 3 | |
| Add eggplant pieces. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until eggplant is about half-cooked. Don't let eggplant get mushy. | |
| Step 4 | |
| Add spices and tomato sauce. Let it simmer for at least 5 minutes on very low heat. The eggplant should be cooked but firm. | |
| Step 5 | |
| Cook the Penne Pasta according to package directions. | |
| Step 6 | |
| Drain the pasta and sprinkle olive oil on it. | |
| Step 7 | |
| Serve the pasta hot on a plate, ladle the hot sauce on top, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese if you prefer. | |
| Step 8 | |
| Or you can add the cooked Pasta to the Eggplant Sauce and mix well. Then serve hot, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese on top. | |
| Step 9 | |
| Garnish with the sprig of parsley. | |
