This pasta dish is a hearty and flavorful combination of tender eggplant, sweet cherry tomatoes, and savory sausages. It’s a perfect meal for any night of the week, offering a delightful blend of textures and tastes.
📋 Ingredients:
- 400 g of pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice) 🍝
- 1 large eggplant, cut into small cubes 🍆
- 200 g of cherry tomatoes, halved 🍅
- 200 g of Italian sausages, casings removed and crumbled 🍖
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 onion, finely chopped 🧅
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil 🌿
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano 🌿
- 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes (optional) 🌶️
- Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish 🌿
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving 🧀
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Prepare the eggplant:
- Cut the eggplant into small cubes 🍆. If you prefer, you can sprinkle the eggplant cubes with salt and let them sit for 20 minutes to draw out any bitterness. Rinse and pat dry.
- Prepare the sausages:
- Remove the casings from the sausages and crumble the sausage meat into small pieces 🍖.
2. Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the pasta:
- Cook the pasta 🍝 in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
3. Cook the Eggplant and Sausages:
- Cook the eggplant:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil 🌿 over medium heat. Add the eggplant cubes 🍆 and cook until they are golden brown and tender, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the sausages:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil 🌿. Add the crumbled sausages 🍖 and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside with the eggplant.
4. Prepare the Sauce:
- Sauté the onion and garlic:
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion 🧅 and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic 🧄 and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the cherry tomatoes:
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes 🍅 to the skillet. Cook until they start to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes.
- Combine everything:
- Return the cooked eggplant 🍆 and sausages 🍖 to the skillet. Stir in the oregano 🌿 and chili flakes 🌶️ (if using). Cook for another 3-4 minutes until everything is well combined. Season with salt and pepper 🧂 to taste.
5. Combine with Pasta:
- Add the pasta:
- Add the cooked pasta 🍝 to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
6. Serve:
- Garnish and serve:
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves 🌿 and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese 🧀.
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes
⏱️ Cook Time: 20 minutes
⏱️ Total Time: 40 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
🔥 Calories: Approximately 500 kcal per serving
Enjoy this delicious and hearty pasta with eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and sausages, a perfect meal that’s both comforting and full of flavor. Buon appetito! 🍝✨