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Sausage and Eggplant Baked Pasta

Sausage and eggplant come together with creamy ricotta and tangy parmesan cheese to create an Italian American comfort dish classic.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 355 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces whole wheat penne (cooked according to package instructions)
  • 2 Italian sausage links (sweet or spicy)
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 1 eggplant (diced – skin for added nutrients)
  • 2 cups Tomato Basil Sauce ((canned or homemade low sodium preferred))
  • 15 ounces ricotta (part skim)
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup parsley
  • ¼ cup parmesan
  • basil and parsley to serve

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Remove sausage from casings and cook over medium-high heat in a sauce pot sprayed with non-stick spray. Brown 8-9 minutes; remove from pan and set aside.
  3. Add onion and garlic to the pan with a good pinch of salt and pepper and saute until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, mix together ricotta, egg and parsley in a small bowl; set aside.
  5. Add eggplant to the onion mixture with another pinch of salt and pepper stirring frequently until softened, about 6-7 minutes.
  6. Add tomato basil sauce to the pan along with cooked sausage and pasta. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly; remove from heat.
  7. Pour 1/3 of the pasta/sausage mixture into a 9 x 13 baking pan then top with half of the ricotta mixture using a tablespoon to create big dollops. Add another 1/3 of the pasta mixture and top with the remaining half of the ricotta. Finally, add the remaining pasta then sprinkle parmesan cheese evenly on top.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  9. Turn broiler on high for the last few minutes to create a bubbly, cheesey, delicious topping.

Notes

  • When browning sausage, don’t be afraid of a little color. The browner, the better, because brown = flavor!

Nutrition Information

Calories 355kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 40.5g (14%) Protein 19.7g (39%) Fat 14.4g (22%) Saturated Fat 4.9g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9.5g Cholesterol 91mg (30%) Sodium 1014mg (42%) Fiber 7.7g (31%) Sugar 8.1g (16%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 355

% Daily Value*

Calories 355kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 40.5g 14%
Protein 19.7g 39%
Fat 14.4g 22%
Saturated Fat 4.9g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.5g 56%
Cholesterol 91mg 30%
Sodium 1014mg 42%
Fiber 7.7g 31%
Sugar 8.1g 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.