Golden Baked Eggplant Delight 🍆✨

Baked Eggplant (Aubergine), Tomato & Pasta Gratin 🍆🍅🧀

Overview:

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories per Serving: 645.3
• Rating: 3/5 ⭐
• Keywords: Vegetable, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:

   • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
   • Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sauté until tender and fragrant.

2. Cook the Tomato Sauce:

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   • Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, and dried oregano.
   • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency.
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Prepare the Eggplant:

   • While the sauce simmers, heat more olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Slice the eggplants into rounds and fry them in batches until golden brown on both sides.
   • Drain the fried eggplant slices on paper towels to remove excess oil.

4. Cook the Pasta:

   • Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
   • Drain the pasta and toss it with the prepared tomato sauce until well coated.

5. Assemble the Gratin:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Grease an 8-cup gratin dish (approximately 9 x 9 inches) with olive oil.
   • Arrange the ingredients in layers as follows:
     • Spread 1/3 of the fried eggplant slices on the bottom of the dish.
     • Layer with half of the tomato and pasta mixture.
     • Add another layer of 1/3 of the eggplant slices.
     • Place half of the mozzarella cheese slices on top.
     • Repeat with the remaining tomato and pasta mixture, eggplant slices, and mozzarella cheese.

6. Bake the Gratin:

   • Bake the assembled gratin, uncovered, in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
   • Once baked, remove the gratin from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

7. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Serve the Baked Eggplant, Tomato & Pasta Gratin hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.
   • Enjoy the hearty flavors and comforting textures of this delicious vegetarian dish!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 645.3
• Fat: 25.1g
  • Saturated Fat: 10.7g
• Cholesterol: 56mg
• Sodium: 1111.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 86.3g
  • Fiber: 24.2g
  • Sugar: 19g
• Protein: 27g

Tips for Success:

• Be patient while simmering the tomato sauce to allow the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken naturally.
• Ensure that the eggplant slices are fried until golden brown to add a delicious crispiness to the gratin.
• Use high-quality mozzarella cheese for the best melting and flavor results.
• Feel free to customize the dish by adding your favorite herbs, spices, or additional vegetables to the tomato sauce.

Conclusion:

Indulge in the comforting and flavorful experience of this Baked Eggplant, Tomato & Pasta Gratin, a perfect dish for a satisfying weeknight meal or a cozy family dinner. With layers of tender eggplant, savory tomato sauce, al dente pasta, and gooey melted cheese, every bite is a delightful combination of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply craving a hearty and wholesome dish, this gratin is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Try it today and share the love with friends and family!