Eggplant Sausage Linguine Recipes

PASTA WITH SAUSAGE & EGGPLANT SAUCE

Steps:

• Toss the eggplant with the 2 teaspoons of salt and place in a colander.
• Let sit 20 minutes, then squeeze dry.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat and add the onion and sausage meat.
• Cook, using two forks to break up the meat as it cooks until it is no longer pink.
• Add the eggplant, and continue to cook until the eggplant has softened, about 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook an additional minute or two.
• Add the tomatoes, paste, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer, then cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Add a small cup of water if sauce thickens too much).
• Stir in the parsley and basil.
• Taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
• While the sauce is finishing cooking, cook the pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water until it is "al dente", following manufacturers instructions.
• Drain, and return the pasta to the pot.
• Add a large scoop or two of sauce to the pasta and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta in individual bowls with an additional spoonful or two of sauce on top.
• Pass the grated cheese at the table, and enjoy!

SAUSAGE-STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Brush cut sides of eggplant with olive oil and place, cut-side up onto a baking sheet. Roast in preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, brown the Italian sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat; drain off the grease. Place into a mixing bowl, and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Stir in bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the beaten egg; mix well.
• Once the roasted eggplant has cooled enough to handle, scoop out the flesh to within 1/2-inch of the skin to create a shell. Roughly chop the eggplant meat, and fold into the sausage mixture. Divide evenly among the two eggplant shells, and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until the filling has set, and the cheese is bubbly and golden-brown, about 30 minutes. While the eggplant is baking, warm the remaining spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat to serve with the eggplant.

SAUSAGE AND EGGPLANT FUSILLI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for about 8 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Meanwhile, toss the eggplant with 1 tablespoon salt in a colander; allow to sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then squeeze out the excess moisture. Dry well on a paper towel-lined tray.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large straight-sided pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until cooked through and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Push the sausage off to one side, add the eggplant and cook without stirring for about 3 minutes. Stir together the eggplant and sausage and continue to cook, stirring often, until the eggplant is soft and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shallots and garlic; cook for another 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the reserved pasta water, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the tomatoes and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring often and breaking up the tomatoes.
• Add the pasta to the sauce and sprinkle the Parmesan and provolone on the bare pasta. Using two wooden spoons, toss to combine until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.

SAUSAGE AND EGGPLANT ONE POT PASTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tablespoon of oil in a large, shallow pan over medium high heat. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the sausage. Cook, breaking the sausage up with a spoon, until the sausage is browned and cooked though - 5-8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a plate.
• Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Stir in the zucchini and eggplant. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until browned. Add the pasta and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer 11-12 minutes, or until pasta is cooked al dente and most of the water is evaporated.
• Add the sausage, spinach, and parmesan. Stir until the spinach is wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, drizzle with 2-3 Tablespoons of olive oil.

TOMATO, EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE PASTA

Steps:

• In a medium/large bowl add the cubed eggplant toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt, leave for about 20-30 minutes, drain any excess liquid but do not rinse before adding to the pan.
• In a large frying pan on low to medium heat, add the olive oil, the eggplant, chopped sausage, fresh tomatoes*, spices, and water, stir and continue to cook on low to medium heat, (stirring often, so the mixture does not burn) until sausage, tomatoes & eggplant are cooked (we like the tomatoes slightly dried). Toss with 3 -4 cups cooked pasta and 1/2 a ladle of pasta water, cook on high heat for about 45-60 seconds stirring constantly. Top with fresh chopped basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese, serve immediately. Enjoy!

EGGPLANT SAUSAGE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set sausage aside., In the same skillet, saute eggplant and onion in oil. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil and paprika; simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain pasta; stir into eggplant mixture. Add sausage., Spread half of the sausage mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Spread with ricotta cheese. Top with half of the cheese and remaining sausage mixture., Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

EGGPLANT PASTA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggplant; cook, stirring constantly, until eggplant is softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and juice; cook until sauce is slightly reduced, about 20 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
• Pour sauce over pasta.

PASTA WITH SAUSAGE, EGGPLANT AND BASIL

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with 1 tablespoon salt in large colander. Place over bowl and let stand 30 minutes.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add eggplant; saut until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook meatballs until brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer meatballs to paper-towel-lined plate. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, garlic and chilies; sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add meatballs, broth and cream. Simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add eggplant and simmer 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Transfer to large bowl.
• Toss pasta with sauce and 1 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix in basil and pine nuts. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve pasta, passing additional Parmesan cheese separately.

EGGPLANT & SAUSAGE LINGUINE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Put eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil and stir to coat well. Season with black pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and lightly browned, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven and set aside.
• 2. Meanwhile, cook the linguine according to package directions. Drain coat with about 1 Tbsp olive oil and set aside.
• 3. Brown and break apart sausage in a large skillet. Drain. Set aside.
• 4. Coat the skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil and heat on medium high heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, return sausage to skillet stirring to mix. Add oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
• 5. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Stir in eggplant, raisins, and capers and simmer until thickened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in vinegar and all but 1 Tbsp cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• 6. Return linguine to the pot it was cooked in and put on low heat. Immediately add eggplant-sausage mixture and mix well. Divide among 4 plates and top each with 2 Tbsp cheese. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cilantro.

SAUSAGE & EGGPLANT LINGUINE

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add in eggplant and drizzle of olive oil. Saute for 2 minutes and add in sausage. Break sausage apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil with a pinch of salt, drizzle of olive oil, and cook linguine until tender. Drain, but reserve 1/3 a cup of the water.
• Add shallot and garlic to skillet and saute until they begin to brown, about 4 minutes. Add in diced tomatoes, capers, 1 tbsp of the parsley, and season with salt & pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, then lower to a simmer.
• To finish, add pasta water to skillet slowly while stirring. Add in just enough to loosen the sauce. Add the linguine into the skillet, tossing to cover the pasta completely. Distribute between plates, top with parsley, and ricotta.

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE WITH LINGUINE

Steps:

• Lightly drizzle the cut eggplant with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper. Place on a roasting pan and put in 400 degree oven. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes or until eggplant is tender and begins to brown.
• Warm a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet. Saute onions over medium low heat until they begin to brown slightly, stir in sausage and garlic. Cook until sausage is cooked through. Add in the tomatoes, crushing slightly with a potato masher. Season with oregano, pepper flakes, salt and ground black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken.
• Put on a pot of water to boil. Add in linguine and cook according to package directions. Reserve a cup of the pasta water, drain pasta and set aside.
• To the meat mixture, add in the raisins, capers and wine vinegar. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in eggplant and parsley. Turn off heat and add in drained pasta. While tossing with tongs add in enough of the reserved pasta water to help sauce coat the cooked pasta.
• Divide the mixture into fourths and crumble feta over all. Sprinkle with additional parsley if desired and serve.

SLOW COOKER EGGPLANT PASTA WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In a heavy bottom skillet, cook the ground sausage in about 2 T. of olive oil and set it aside.
• Using the same pan, saute the onion, garlic and fennel seeds until the seeds pop and start to crisp.
• Meanwhile, peel an eggplant with a vegetable peeler. Discard the peels and chop up two cups of the eggplant fruit into small cubes.
• Add the sausage, onion mixture and eggplant to your slow cooker.
• Next, chop up and add the fresh parsley, fresh basil and add the dried oregano and salt
• To the slow cooker, add the can of fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, dry white wine and water.
• Stir well and set your slow cooker for LOW at 3.5 hours or HIGH for 7 hours.
• When ready to serve, cook 10 oz. of your favorite pasta pasta in salted water and stir the pasta into the sauce.
• Stir in heavy cream and/or top with fresh parmesan (optional)

EGGPLANT AND SWEET SAUSAGE BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the sausage and cook until brown.
• Add the eggplant, salt, cayenne, and black pepper.
• Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly soft.
• Add the onions, bell peppers, and celery and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly wilted.
• Add the thyme, oregano, and garlic.
• Stir and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the chicken stock and parsley and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring.
• Remove from the heat and add the bread crumbs and cheese.
• Mix well.
• Spoon into a casserole dish and bake for about 45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
• Serve hot.

SWEET SAUSAGE AND EGGPLANT PENNE

Steps:

• Peel half the skin from the eggplant and then chop into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt, and drain a few minutes on paper towels.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat, and add the sausage. Crumble the sausage and cook until brown. Add the garlic, celery and onions to the sausage. Pat the moisture off of the eggplant and stir the pieces into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Cook the vegetables, partially covered, to soften, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and basil. Bring to a bubble and simmer the sauce to combine the flavors.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat. If the sauce is too thick add a little water or chicken stock if using to thin it out.
• To serve, bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the boiling water and cook the pasta to al dente. Add about 1 cup of starchy water to the sauce. Then drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Adjust the seasoning, then serve in shallow bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of EVOO.

LINGUINE WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until beginning to smoke, then add eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender, about 10minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Add onion, garlic, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes (including juice), oregano, salt, and red pepper flakes and simmer, uncovered, until sauce is thickened and most of liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• While tomato sauce is simmering, cook linguine in a 6- to 8-quart pot of until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander and return to pot. Add tomato sauce and toss to coat, then add eggplant, parsley, and some reserved cooking water if necessary (to thin sauce) and gently toss. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with some of cheese and serve remainder on the side.