Penne With Tomatoes Eggplant And Mozzarella Recipes

EGGPLANT, TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season aggressively with salt. Add the rigatoni and cook 3 minutes less than the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss the eggplant and tomatoes with 3 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet and roast until the eggplant is golden brown and tomatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. (Leave the oven on.)
• Toss the rigatoni with the eggplant, tomatoes, about 1/4 cup pasta water and the marinara sauce in a large bowl. If it looks dry, add the remaining pasta water. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella.
• Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Transfer the pasta to the baking dish and top with the remaining cup mozzarella and the Parmesan and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. (Turn the broiler on at the end if you want the cheese to brown more.) Garnish with additional Parmesan and the chopped basil and serve.

PENNE WITH EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. When oil is hot but not smoking, add eggplant. Sauté for two minutes, then add tomatoes and chili flakes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook penne, according to box, until al dente. Drain pasta.
• If making for Valentine's Day, cut four 1/8 inch slices of mozzarella. Cut each slice into a heart and set aside. Dice remaining mozzarella.
• Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add penne and mozzarella to sauce pan and stir to combine.
• Divide pasta among plates, garnishing each with basil and a mozzarella heart. This Recipe Appears In Serious Entertaining: A Family Valentine's Day