Spicy Baked Eggplant Spaghetti

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

Well, I hope you didn’t think I forgot about you! I sincerely apologize for my lengthy hiatus. I had had big plans to write a post before heading off to Italy last Monday, but for some reason, I just couldn’t get it together. Shocking, I know. Between packing, eating, sleeping, and touring all historical landmarks within a 30-mile radius of Charlottesville, I had little time to think. My apologies.

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

So, before I left for Italy to eat pasta by the pound, Andrew the H and I took the in laws on a culinary tour of our lovely city of Charlottesville, VA. You know, since I was worried that my pants wouldn’t fit after Italy, I had to make sure that they were already nice and snug before I even left the United States. We managed to pack in three out of the first five presidents’ homes in two days plus a tour of UVA plus three square meals. A job well done if you ask me! Don’t worry though, my pants did in fact fit for the 11-hour plane ride home (that’s right, ELEVEN freaking hours in one tiny cramped plane seat).  Thank you, Mr. Stretchy Pants Inventor. You are truly a lifesaver.

(Side note: Beth, if you are reading this, it is in fact impossible to lose weight in Italy. I’m just sayin’)

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

I digress. In preparation for my trip to Italy, I decided to make an Italian dish to get in the spirit. Obviously. So, I turned to my Italian friend, Giada deLaurentiis, who always shows me the way with her pasta recipes (though lately she has been doing a few crazy things on her show that I am not too sure about). I had an eggplant, and I wanted spaghetti. Voila, Baked Eggplant Spaghetti. Thanks, G! And while her recipe for Baked Eggplant Spaghetti served as the basis for this recipe, mine took a decidedly different turn as I ditched the puff pastry, added red peppers, and upped the spice factor with more red pepper flakes. We like it hot around here.

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

I’m sure you must be thinking, “Brooke, why are you posting winter-y baked pasta dishes at the end of May? Are you crazy?” Well, yes, but I swear we had a little cold spell in Virginia when I made this. Plus, it is so warm and comforting yet still light and delicious. And besides, who says you can’t eat baked spaghetti in the summer? A silly person, that’s who.

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

This dish is versatile, too. For example, swap spaghetti for angel hair. Add your favorite cheese instead of mozzarella (goat cheese or cheddar could be nice). Use spicy italian sausage instead of buffalo. Ditch the meat altogether. Experiment with different herbs. As Claire Robinson would say, BYOC! Be Your Own Chef. I’m sorry, that was bad. I’m fully aware, but I am also too tired to care.

Buon appetito!

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

Spicy Baked Eggplant Spaghetti
Inspired by Giada deLaurentiis

{Serves 6}

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large eggplant
4 ounces spaghetti
1/2 lb. ground buffalo (or Italian sausage)
1 cup diced red onion (1/2 of large red onion or 1 small onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1.5 cups marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
3/4 cup grated parmesan reggiano cheese, divided
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (or less if you want it less spicy! this is pretty hot)
1/4 cup bread crumbs or Panko
Basil for serving

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Slice eggplant about one inch thick then cut each slice into 1-inch pieces. Toss eggplant with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast eggplant until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Set aside.

Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.

Heat remaining one tablespoon of oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Saute onions until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute another minute or two. Add buffalo and brown, about 5 minutes. Add red pepper and cook until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add 1.5 cups marinara sauce (either homemade or good quality store-bought) and stir to combine.

Bring large pot of water to a boil. Season water generously with salt (this flavors the pasta!). Cook spaghetti (or angel hair if your prefer) according to package directions or until al dente, firm to the bite. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. Drain spaghetti and add to marinara mixture.

Add roasted eggplant and red pepper flakes to pasta mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and let cool for about 15 minutes (pasta will still be warm). Mix in mozzarella cubes and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Add pasta water to loosen if too the mixture looks too dry. Transfer spicy eggplant pasta mixture to a casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs and remaining parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta dish and drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Bake until cheese is golden on top and mixture is bubbly and warmed through. Let pasta rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil.

Serve with a green salad and crusty bread. Enjoy!

Spicy Eggplant Spaghetti Bake | Plum Pie

Related Posts with Thumbnails

You Might Also Like

  • Mama Steph
    May 24, 2011 at 8:30 pm

    I want to eat this NOW! 🙂 Looks fantastic, and I say eat what you want any time of year; that’s what air conditioning is for. 😉

  • brooke
    May 24, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    Exactly Mama Steph! And honestly, sometimes summer A/C makes it so cold that you need something warm and yummy.

  • Apron Appeal
    May 25, 2011 at 5:17 am

    I was hoping this was going to be a post on how to use eggplant in place of your noodle in Spaghetti…But this is just as good. I like to use more obscure veggies in my cooking because I love to hear my kids tell me how much they despise obscure food, take a bite and then proceed to sing my praises for days. (crazy kids)

  • Cookie and Kate
    May 25, 2011 at 8:31 am

    Yum! Can’t wait for eggplant to come into season this summer! I’m a vegetarian, so I’ll swap some crumbled tofu for the meat. I think it’ll be delish!

  • yancey williams
    May 25, 2011 at 9:42 am

    Oh my gosh that looks so good and I don’t even like eggplant!

  • Erin Carmella
    July 28, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    I made this last night when a vegetarian friend of mine came over. It was so so good, thanks for the recipe!

  • Emily
    February 6, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    What size casserole dish do you recommend for this dish?

    • brooke
      February 20, 2012 at 10:55 am

      Hi Emily,
      I used an 11×11 square baker in this post. I have also made this recipe with a rectangular baking dish as well (I think it was 10×12). I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy!

  • Torrey
    March 29, 2012 at 5:20 pm

    My new husband and I are trying to be a little more adventurous in our eating (I’m sure most people wouldn’t consider eggplant very adventurous but neither of us likes it much). Had such eggplant on hand and thought this would be a good recipe to start with. We both liked it. It’s VERY filling! I only used 1/2 the amount of mozzarella cheese since that’s all I had on hand.

  • Spicy Baked Pasta with Eggplant and Chorizo « Tasty Retreat
    September 16, 2013 at 9:32 am

    […] Recipe adapted from Plum Pie. […]

  • Spicy Vegetarian Pasta with Eggplant, Mushrooms and Artichokes — Eat Laugh Purr
    June 4, 2014 at 3:32 am

    […] from Plumpie Cooks Serves […]