Tomato Eggplant Pasta

Tomato Eggplant pasta - Quick and easy vegetable pasta loaded with tender garlicky eggplant bites, herbs, bell peppers and served in delicious tomato sauce. Nutritional, comforting, and easy weeknight meal. 

Eggplant Pasta or Is It Aubergine Pasta? 

Both! It depends on where you're from. In the U.S., it's eggplant pasta, while in the U.K. and many other places, it's aubergine pasta.

No matter what you call it, it's delicious! And by the way, it's kid-approved!

As a busy mom, I try to make easy and quick meals while remaining healthy at all times. Even though my kiddo loves pasta, I serve it for him on rare occasions, and when I do, there are tons of veggies involved. 

And this recipe is precisely what I call a ‘’healthier’’ pasta version. By the way, this recipe was not planned at all but the forgotten in the fridge eggplant was just asking to be cooked! And that's how this quick and easy eggplant recipe was born.

Eggplant Pasta Video

Why you’ll love this recipe

• It is Vegetarian and can be made Vegan. Simply omit Parmesan cheese or use a plant based alternative.

• Ready in less than 30 minutes.

• It has a good amount of veggies for you!

• Perfect for those who want to have more plant-based diet food and are just starting out. Eggplant has a very ‘’meaty’’ texture and, personally, for me, is very similar to large mushrooms! And I absolutely love mushrooms. Am I the only one who thinks this way?

• This eggplant pasta has a healthy and light sauce.

• Kid approved!

Is Salting An Eggplant Necessary?

It used to be important in the old days and in the days when eggplant varieties had a lot of bitterness in them.

Today, this is not the case, they are very mild and I honestly haven’t ‘’met’’ a very bitter eggplant in a long time (and this is for several countries I’ve lived in!)

If you’re still unsure, I’d recommend not salting but peeling eggplant skin off before cutting and cooking. But this way you may end up with too mushy eggplant in the end. Personal preferences that’s what matters!

How To Make Eggplant Pasta

Here are two ways you can make this eggplant pasta.

For more soft and creamy pasta simply follow this recipe steps and you’re good to go. 

The other method will take you longer but also worth it! If you love your eggplants with a more firm texture on the outside, I’d recommend roasting them priorly in the oven. 

Here's How I Make It

1. Start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. I always recommend salting the water—it makes a difference in flavor!
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over medium-low heat and add the eggplant. No need to rush this step—let it soften a bit, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go. Remember, eggplant keeps cooking as we add more ingredients, so don’t overdo it.
3. Next, toss in the onions and let them cook for a couple of minutes before adding the minced garlic. That garlic-onion aroma? The best part of cooking!
4. Now, add the tomatoes and bell peppers. Let them cook for about 5 minutes until the peppers are soft enough to press with a spoon. This is when I pour in my pre-mixed tomato sauce and vegetable broth (mixing them first makes it easier to blend into the dish). Season again with salt and pepper.

5. Stir in the dried herbs—I love using a mix of basil and oregano for that classic Italian touch. Then, add the cooked pasta, letting everything simmer for about 3 minutes so the flavors meld beautifully.
6. Serve hot, with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan (or more if you’re like me and can’t resist!). Enjoy! 🍝

What Is The Best Way To Eat An Eggplant?

• Eggplant mini pizzas - Slice the whole eggplant into thick slices and top up with veggies and lots of cheese (mozzarella is the way to go here!)

• Baba Ganoush, chickpea and eggplant hummus

• Roasted as whole or halves with olive oil and herbs and then served as a side dish 
• Stir-fries

Recipe Variations

• If you have some cheesy garlicky bread on hand this will be the only thing you need to accompany this lovely eggplant pasta. A glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough wouldn't hurt either! 

• To make it Vegan simply omit the parmesan cheese or use my Vegan parmesan Cheese instead.

• Fresh green garden salad

• Pecorino, Ricotta or crumbled feta cheese all the way on the top!

• Or a little hint of chili powder/flakes to add some heat to your meal.

• Or use roasted/baked eggplant instead of fried. You can also roast all of the veggies in the oven right before mixing them with pasta and sauce. 

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Recipe Card

Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.