Baked Penne With Eggplant Recipes

BAKED EGGPLANT AND PANCETTA PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl using a slotted spoon. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the eggplant to the pancetta drippings and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the pancetta.
• Cook the cavatappi in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl with the pancetta and eggplant.
• Add the marinara, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta mixture to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.
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PASTA ALLA NORMA (BAKED PENNE WITH EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the penne and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes less than the instructions on the package. Strain the pasta and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Put the pasta in a large bowl and toss with 1 cup of the pasta sauce.
• Meanwhile, in a 12 inch sauté pan, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat until almost smoking.
• Working in batches, sauté the eggplant slices, seasoning them with salt and pepper, turning once, until golden brown on both sides.
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil (I used cooking spray).
• Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce.
• Top with half the bread crumbs, then add half the pasta. Arrange half of the eggplant slices, overlapping them slightly, on top of the pasta.
• Dot about 1/4 cup of tomato sauce over the eggplant, and top with half of the pecorino and half of the basil.
• Top with the remaining pasta, arrange the remaining eggplant over the pasta, and dot with the remaining tomato sauce.
• Sprinkle with the remaining pecorino and basil, and then the remaining bread crumbs, and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Bake for 45 minutes then let stand for 10 minutes.
• Grate ricotta salata (provolone or pecorino work too!) over individual portions before serving.

EGGPLANT PARM PENNE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Spread the eggplant on the prepared baking sheet and season with the salt. Let sit for 20-30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
• While the eggplant drains, add the bread crumbs and flour to 2 separate small bowls. Beat the eggs in a third small bowl.
• Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece of eggplant in the flour to coat thoroughly, shaking off any excess. Dip each piece in the eggs, then coat in the bread crumbs, pressing to adhere.
• Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, add the eggplant to the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined sheet tray to drain.
• *Tip: Eggplant can alternatively be oven or air fried. Cooking times will vary.
• Heat the Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce in a medium pot over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Add the cooked penne, fried eggplant, mozzarella, and half of the basil to the sauce, and toss to combine.
• Garnish with remaining basil.
• Enjoy!