ill-treat up the mean alimentary paste bake game by incorporating a deliciously key ingredient .
Pasta bakesare a winner in our book for a reason — packed with flavor , well-off to preparation and cook , not to observe to block for afterward . The in force part ? you may sneakily add veggies to give it a sizeable twist , end up please your kinfolk ’s roof of the mouth , from children to grown - ups . Our eggplant - beef alimentary paste bake offers precisely that : a mouthful of goodness and textures , perfect for when you ’re craving something solid .
Start by simplycooking your ground beefand add up some hack garden egg by the end of it . If you want to fend off a slushy outcome , generously salt the eggplants , allow the rest , and pat dry using a paper towel before toss them in the frypan .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
To cake your pasta equally , opt for shortcut choice , likepenne , rigatoni , or shells . These kinds of vacuous pasta soak up the sauces well than , say , backer pilus , for example . Just make certain to cook it aldente — or a minute of arc less than the instruction — that way , you ’ll keep a firmer bite after broil .
Do n’t miss a single formula ! keep your favorite Better Homes & Gardens formula in one spot using MyRecipes . but click the save icon ( with a heart ! ) at the top of this recipe pageboy .
Ingredients
1Tbsp.olive petroleum
4cuppeeled ( if desired ) andchopped eggplant
8 - oz.extra - skimpy background gripe
½cupchopped onion(1medium )
2clovesgarlic , minced
1(14.5 - oz)canno - Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - lend diced tomato plant , undrained
1(8 - oz.)cantomato sauce
1tsp.dried basil , crushed
½tsp.dried oregano , crushed
¼tsp.salt
¼tsp.crushed red pepper
8-oz.dried multigrain penne alimentary paste
½cupshredded part - skimming mozzarella cheese(2ounces )
Directions
Cook Eggplant Mixture
In a big nonstick skillet heat oil over average - high hotness . Add eggplant ; Captain Cook until attendant , stirring frequently . move out from skillet . Add primer coat gripe , Allium cepa , and garlic to skillet . prepare until meat is brown , using a wooden spoon to break out up meat as it cooks . Drain off blubber . Stir in eggplant , tomatoes , tomato sauce , basil , oregano , salt , and crushed red pepper . Spread admixture in a shallow baking pan to cool promptly .
Cook Pasta
Meanwhile , cook alimentary paste concord to computer software directions ; drain . Rinse with insensate H2O ; drain again . shift pasta into the meat mix .
Assemble
Line a 2 - quart baking dishful or 8x8x1 3/4 - inch hearty disposable enhancer pan . transpose the essence mix and wrap the dish completely in foil .
Bake
Preheat oven to 350 ° farad . Bake , cover , for about 75 moment or until ignite through ( 165 ° degree Fahrenheit ) , stirring mix once halfway through baking . besprinkle with Malva sylvestris . Bake , uncovered , for about 5 minutes more , or until the cheese is evaporate .
How to Make Eggplant Casserole Ahead
If you ’re get to this ahead , follow the steps above but opt for a treble layer of fictile wrap right on the pan ( before building the alimentary paste bake ) , extend the wrap to one side so there is enough to cover when folded back over the dish . get it chill before freezing fit for up to 4 months . To serve well , remove the transparency from the baking dish . Lift frozen food for thought out of the dish and remove charge plate wrap ; return food to the dish . Cover with foil and thaw in the refrigerator overnight . Bake again , get across , for 15 to 20 mo or until it ’s heated all .
Nutrition Facts(per serving)
- The % Daily Value ( DV ) tells you how much a nutrient in a food for thought serve up contributes to a casual diet . 2,000 calories a day is used for general aliment advice .
