Eggplant Extravaganza Pasta Party—Dinner for 4

“Eggplant Extravaganza Pasta Party” is a delightful Italian dinner dish, combining the robust flavors of eggplants with the comforting texture of pasta. This recipe showcases the versatility of eggplants, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any pasta lover’s dinner table.

Meal Type

Dinner

Cuisine

Italian

Servings

4

Food Stars

Eggplant, pasta

Health

Variations

Diets

Variations

You Need This Stuff

  • 2 medium eggplants, cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 can (145 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups pasta of choice, uncooked
  • 4 cups water for boiling pasta
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped for garnish

Do This With That Stuff

  1. ‘Gather all your ingredients and cookware
  2. Wash the eggplants under cold water and pat dry with a towel
  3. Place the eggplants on the cutting board and cut them into cubes using the sharp knife
  4. Peel and mince the garlic cloves, and chop the onion on the cutting board with the sharp knife
  5. Measure 2 tbsp of olive oil with a measuring spoon
  6. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
  7. Add the chopped onions to the skillet, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until they become translucent
  8. Add minced garlic to the skillet, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant
  9. Add cubed eggplant, salt, black pepper to the skillet, stirring occasionally until eggplant is slightly browned and softened
  10. Open can of diced tomatoes using can opener
  11. Pour canned tomatoes into skillet along with dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), stir well to combine all ingredients in skillet
  12. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until flavors meld together
  13. While sauce is simmering, fill large pot with 4 cups of water and bring it to a boil over high heat for pasta cooking
  14. Once water is boiling, add uncooked pasta into pot
  15. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente
  16. Drain cooked pasta using colander then return it back to pot
  17. Pour eggplant tomato sauce from skillet over cooked pasta in pot
  18. Stir well with wooden spoon to ensure pasta is evenly coated with sauce
  19. Grate Parmesan cheese using cheese grater until you have 1/4 cup worth of grated cheese
  20. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over pasta mixture in pot
  21. Chop fresh basil leaves on cutting board using sharp knife for garnish
  22. Sprinkle chopped basil leaves over pasta as garnish before serving Transfer your Eggplant Extravaganza Pasta Party dish into serving dish ready for dinner’

Obvious and Not So Obvious Variations and Pairings

☕ Bitter
  • ‘Add 1 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Increase dried oregano to 1 tsp
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped radicchio
  • Add 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric
  • Replace diced tomatoes with 1 can (14.5 oz) of diced bitter melon’
🧂 Salty
  • Increase the salt to 2 tsp
  • Add 1/2 cup of capers
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped Kalamata olives
  • Increase the Parmesan cheese to 1/2 cup
  • Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce to the eggplant tomato sauce
🍋 Sour
  • ‘Add 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
  • Add juice of 1 lemon
  • Increase diced tomatoes to 2 cans (29 oz total)
  • Replace salt with 1 tsp of capers’
🌶️ Spicy
  • Increase red pepper flakes to 1 tsp
  • Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Add 2 chopped jalapeno peppers
  • Increase black pepper to 1 tsp
  • Add 1/2 tsp chili powder
🍬 Sweet
  • Add 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
  • Add 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • Increase diced tomatoes to 2 cans (29 oz total)
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped dates
  • Add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
🍄 Umami
  • ‘Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce
  • Add 1 tsp of fish sauce
  • Increase the Parmesan cheese to 1/2 cup
  • Add 1/2 cup of dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and chopped
  • Add 1/2 tsp of anchovy paste’
🍸 Alcoholic
  • ‘Chianti Classico: The high acidity and medium body of this wine will complement the acidity of the tomatoes and the earthiness of the eggplant in the dish
  • Pinot Grigio: This light, crisp white wine will balance out the richness of the pasta and cheese, while its citrus notes will enhance the flavors of the herbs
  • Aperol Spritz: This classic Italian cocktail, with its bittersweet flavor profile, will provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty pasta dish’
🥤 Non Alcoholic
  • ‘Sparkling Water with Lemon: The bubbles and acidity from the lemon can cut through the richness of the pasta and eggplant, providing a refreshing contrast
  • Italian Lemonade: The sweet and sour profile of this beverage complements the savory flavors in the pasta dish, while its citrus notes can help to balance out the hearty ingredients
  • Tomato Juice: This drink mirrors one of the main ingredients in the dish, tomatoes, and its savory flavor profile pairs well with similar flavors in the pasta’
IMPORTANT NOTE: Artificial Intelligence created this—this means the following may or may not be correct or accurate. If following a specific diet is critical to your health and well-being due to ailments or health conditions, please consult your doctor before trying any of these variations.

🥓 Keto
  • ‘Remove 2 cups pasta of choice, uncooked
  • Add 2 cups of zucchini noodles (zoodles)
  • Remove 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast for a cheese-like flavor
  • Decrease 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes to 1/2 can (7.25 oz) diced tomatoes’
🍆 Mediterranean
  • ‘Replace 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes in juice
  • Add 1/2 cup of sliced black olives
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • Replace dried basil and oregano with 1 tsp of dried thyme and 1 tsp of dried rosemary
  • Replace Parmesan cheese with 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
  • Add 1 tbsp of capers, drained’
🥑 Paleo
  • ‘Remove pasta of choice
  • Replace with 2 cups of spiralized zucchini (zoodles)
  • Remove grated Parmesan cheese
  • Replace canned diced tomatoes with 1.5 cups of fresh diced tomatoes
  • Increase olive oil to 3 tbsp’
🐟 Pescatarian
  • Add 1 cup of peeled and deveined shrimp
  • Add 1/2 cup of white wine
🌱 Vegan
  • ‘Remove Parmesan cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor’
🥦 Vegetarian
  • No changes required
🥩 Whole30
  • ‘Remove pasta of choice, uncooked
  • Replace with 2 cups of zucchini noodles (zoodles)
  • Remove grated Parmesan cheese
  • Replace canned diced tomatoes with 1 can (14.5 oz) of whole30 compliant diced tomatoes
  • Replace olive oil with extra virgin olive oil’
IMPORTANT NOTE: Artificial Intelligence created this—this means the following may or may not be correct or accurate. If following a specific diet is critical to your health and well-being due to ailments or health conditions, please consult your doctor before trying any of these variations.

🧠 Brain Health
  • ‘Replace pasta with 2 cups of whole grain pasta
  • Add 1 cup of chopped spinach
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Increase olive oil to 3 tbsp
  • Add 1/4 cup of flaxseeds’
🌾 Celiac Disease
  • ‘Replace 2 cups pasta of choice, uncooked with 2 cups gluten-free pasta, uncooked
  • Replace 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/4 cup gluten-free Parmesan cheese’
💩 Crohns Disease
  • ‘Remove red pepper flakes
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes
  • Decrease olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Remove garlic cloves
  • Replace pasta with gluten-free pasta
  • Decrease dried basil to 1/2 tsp
  • Decrease dried oregano to 1/4 tsp’
🩸 Diabetes
  • ‘Replace pasta of choice with 2 cups whole grain pasta
  • Decrease olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Replace canned diced tomatoes with 1 can (14.5 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
  • Remove salt from the recipe
  • Replace grated Parmesan cheese with 1/4 cup low-fat grated Parmesan cheese’
🍞 Gluten Intolerance
  • ‘Replace 2 cups pasta of choice, uncooked with 2 cups gluten-free pasta, uncooked
  • Replace 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/4 cup gluten-free Parmesan cheese’
🫀 Heart Disease
  • ‘Reduce olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Replace regular pasta with whole grain pasta
  • Decrease salt to 1/2 tsp
  • Remove red pepper flakes
  • Increase diced tomatoes to 2 cans (29 oz total)
  • Replace Parmesan cheese with low-fat mozzarella cheese’
❤️ Heart Health
  • ‘Reduce olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Replace salt with 1/2 tsp of potassium chloride (salt substitute)
  • Increase diced tomatoes to 2 cans (29 oz total)
  • Add 1 cup of chopped bell peppers
  • Replace pasta with 2 cups of whole grain pasta
  • Decrease Parmesan cheese to 2 tbsp
  • Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts for garnish’
🧂 High Blood Pressure
  • ‘Remove 1 tsp salt
  • Decrease the olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Replace canned tomatoes with 1 can (145 oz) of no-salt-added diced tomatoes
  • Remove 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without sodium’
🍔 High Cholesterol
  • ‘Remove the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Replace 2 tbsp olive oil with 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Increase the 2 medium eggplants to 3 medium eggplants
  • Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts for garnish’
🦠 Immune System
  • ‘Add 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • Add 1 cup of spinach
  • Replace pasta with whole grain pasta
  • Increase garlic to 5 cloves
  • Add 1 tbsp of turmeric
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Increase fresh basil leaves to 1/2 cup for garnish
  • Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast to taste’
🚽 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • ‘Remove red pepper flakes
  • Replace pasta of choice with gluten-free pasta
  • Decrease garlic to 1 clove
  • Replace diced tomatoes with 1 can (14.5 oz) of low-sodium diced tomatoes
  • Decrease onion to 1/2 medium onion, chopped’
💧 Kidney Disease
  • ‘Remove salt
  • Decrease olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Remove canned tomatoes and replace with 2 fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Remove dried basil and replace with fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Remove dried oregano and replace with fresh oregano leaves, chopped
  • Decrease pasta to 1 cup uncooked
  • Replace Parmesan cheese with a low-sodium cheese like mozzarella, decrease to 2 tbsp’
🐄 Lactose Intolerance
  • ‘Remove Parmesan cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a cheese-like flavor’
🍺 Liver Disease
  • ‘Remove salt
  • Decrease olive oil to 1 tbsp
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, 3 medium-sized, diced
  • Remove Parmesan cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor’
🤰 Pregnancy
  • Remove red pepper flakes
  • Replace canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Decrease salt to 1/2 tsp
  • Increase fresh basil leaves to 1/2 cup for garnish
  • Add 1 cup of spinach

Beti’s Reflections

Picture this: I’m strolling through the cobblestone streets of Paris, soaking in the aroma of freshly baked baguettes, when a sudden craving for a good old American steak hits me. That’s when it struck me – why not marry these two culinary worlds? Thus, the Steak-tacular InnovEATion was born, a delightful fusion of American and French cuisines.

This Ribeye Steak Recipe is designed to serve two people, making it perfect for an intimate dinner. However, do note that this isn’t one of those Vegan Recipes or Gluten-Free Cooking options. It’s a hearty steak dinner that indulges your taste buds with rich flavors.

The star of our Steak-tacular InnovEATion is undoubtedly the 8-ounce ribeye steaks, seasoned with salt and black pepper to bring out their natural flavors. The olive oil ensures a perfect sear while garlic and rosemary add an aromatic twist. The unsalted butter, red wine, beef broth, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce create a savory base for our Creamy Parmesan Sauce that’s further enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. And let’s not forget our Green Beans Side Dish – crisp and zesty with lemon juice.

Cooking Ribeye Steak at Home has never been more exciting! Start by seasoning your steaks before searing them in olive oil to perfection – aim for medium-rare or your preferred doneness. While your steaks rest post-searing (a crucial step!), you’ll create your Garlic Rosemary Steak sauce in the same pan by simmering together garlic, rosemary sprig, butter, red wine reduction (hello French influence!), beef broth along with Dijon Mustard Worcestershire Sauce for Steak flavor depth. Slowly whisk in heavy cream followed by Parmesan cheese to create that dreamy Creamy Parmesan Cheese Sauce for Steak we all love! Meanwhile, boil your green beans until tender-crisp then season them with lemon juice for that Lemony Green Beans Side Dish which perfectly complements the richness of the steak.

And voila! Your American French Cuisine Recipe is ready to be served! This Steak Dinner with Green Beans Side Dish is truly an InnovEATion – a celebration of flavors from both sides of the Atlantic right on your plate! So go ahead and try this Ribeye Steak with Creamy Parmesan Sauce recipe tonight – it’s sure to redefine your traditional steak dinner experience!

Human Interaction

Editors Note:

This recipe has not yet been reviewed by a human.

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