This dish effortlessly combines the rich flavors of spaghetti, a light and flavorful tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, aromatic basil, and tender roasted eggplant rounds into a delicious and restaurant-worthy meal. With its straightforward preparation and simple ingredients, this recipe is likely to become a family favorite after just one bite. Let’s begin!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 small eggplant, sliced into rounds
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the eggplant rounds on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until tender and slightly golden.
- While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the tomato sauce. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion until translucent.
- Add the canned diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the sauce until smooth. If you don’t mind your sauce a little chunky, you can skip this step or just mash the tomatoes up a bit with a fork.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to its original pot.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the pasta and gently mix until the noodles are fully coated.
- To assemble, plate the spaghetti with tomato sauce and add a dollop of ricotta cheese on top.
- Add the roasted eggplant rounds and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Drizzle with a touch of olive oil and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Notes
For a hint of heat, feel free to add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce. You can also experiment with various herbs for a personalized touch if desired. Serve with a simple side salad and crusty bread and enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
