Eggplant Tomato Pasta 🍆🍅🧄🌿 Rustic, Saucy, and Loaded With Smoky Eggplant and Garlic-Rich Tomato Goodness

This pasta leans on the bold flavor of roasted or sautéed eggplant — tender, lightly caramelized, and perfect for soaking up garlicky tomato sauce.

It’s hearty, wholesome, and deeply satisfying without needing meat or cream. Think Sicilian vibes with pantry efficiency.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz rigatoni, penne, or fusilli
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the eggplant

• 1 large eggplant, diced (about ½–¾ inch pieces)
• Salt for draining
• 3 tbsp olive oil (for roasting or sautéing)

For the sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Optional: splash of balsamic or red wine vinegar

To finish

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino (or keep it vegan)
• Chopped fresh basil or parsley
• Drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Prep and cook the eggplant
Sprinkle diced eggplant with salt and let sit in a colander for 20–30 minutes to draw out bitterness. Rinse and pat dry.
Option 1 (roasted): Toss with olive oil and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden and soft.
Option 2 (sautéed): Sauté in batches in olive oil until golden and tender. Set aside.

Step 2: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 3: Build the sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.

Step 4: Combine
Add eggplant and drained pasta to the sauce with a splash of pasta water. Stir gently to coat. Let everything mingle for 1–2 minutes over low heat.

Step 5: Serve hot
Top with Parmesan (if using), fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

Flavor Variations

• Add olives or capers for salty briny depth
• Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers
• Use ricotta salata or feta instead of Parmesan
• Finish with toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs for texture
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice for a subtle North African twist

Pro Tips

• Salting eggplant improves texture and removes bitterness
• Roast or sauté eggplant until browned — that caramelization is key
• Simmer sauce long enough to deepen flavor and meld with the eggplant
• Stir pasta and eggplant into the sauce while hot for full absorption
• Want more body? Blend half the eggplant into the sauce before combining

Final Thoughts

Eggplant Tomato Pasta is cozy, rich, and layered — the kind of dish that tastes like it cooked all day but comes together fast. It’s vegetarian comfort food with a backbone of bold, roasted flavor.

Salt it. Sear it. Swirl it with sauce. 🍆🍅🧄🌿

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
• ⚡ Easy Pasta Recipes – Weeknight lifesavers that deliver rich flavor fast, with zero culinary stress.
• 🍽️ Pasta Dinner Recipes – Family-friendly pastas that satisfy any night of the week.

🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.