Best 6 Rigatoni With Eggplant And Pine Nut Crunch Recipes

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When it comes to creating a delectable pasta dish that bursts with flavor and texture, "Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch" stands out as an exceptional choice. The combination of tender rigatoni pasta, succulent eggplant, and the nutty crunch of pine nuts creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This article will guide you through the process of preparing this delightful dish, providing you with a step-by-step recipe that ensures a perfect result every time. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, you'll find this guide invaluable in crafting a culinary masterpiece that will leave your family and friends craving more.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT AND PINE NUT CRUNCH



Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch image

This hearty, veggie-filled rigatoni recipe requires a little bit of work, but makes plenty for a group and is full of flavor.

Provided by Rozanne Gold

Categories     Cheese     Pasta     Bake     Vegetarian     High Fiber     Dinner     Mozzarella     Pine Nut     Eggplant     Winter     Family Reunion     Bon Appétit     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher     Diabetes-Friendly

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 unpeeled large eggplant (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium yellow bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch squares
2 cups grape tomatoes
3 large garlic cloves, divided
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cups (firmly packed) fresh basil leaves, divided
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pound rigatoni
1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray; add eggplant and peppers. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise; add to sheet. Using garlic press, squeeze 1 garlic clove onto vegetables. Drizzle vegetables with oil; toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until tender, stirring often, 35 to 45 minutes.
  • Combine 2/3 cup basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan, pine nuts, and 1 garlic clove in mini processor. Blend until crumbly. Season topping with salt.
  • Blend tomatoes with juice, cream, 1 1/3 cups basil, and 1 garlic clove in processor until smooth. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
  • Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain. Return to pot. Toss with vegetables, sauce, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Transfer to 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella and pine nut topping.
  • Bake pasta until heated through, 25 to 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT AND PINE NUT CRUNCH



RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT AND PINE NUT CRUNCH image

Categories     Pasta

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 13

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 unpeeled large eggplant (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium yellow bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch squares
2 cups grape tomatoes
3 large garlic cloves, divided
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cups (firmly packed) fresh basil leaves, divided
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pound rigatoni
1 pound whole-milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Steps:

  • •Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray; add eggplant and peppers. Cut tomatoes in half lengthwise; add to sheet. Using garlic press, squeeze 1 garlic clove onto vegetables. Drizzle vegetables with oil; toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until tender, stirring often, 35 to 45 minutes. •Combine 2/3 cup basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan, pine nuts, and 1 garlic clove in mini processor. Blend until crumbly. Season topping with salt. •Blend tomatoes with juice, cream, 1 1/3 cups basil, and 1 garlic clove in processor until smooth. Season sauce with salt and pepper. •Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally; drain. Return to pot. Toss with vegetables, sauce, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Transfer to 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella and pine nut topping. •Bake pasta until heated through, 25 to 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT PUREE



Rigatoni with Eggplant Puree image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, whole
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup torn fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl combine the eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red
  • pepper flakes. Spread the vegetables out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the eggplant is golden, about 35 minutes.
  • While the vegetables are roasting, place the pine nuts in a small baking dish. Place in the oven on the rack below the vegetables. Roast until golden, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
  • Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add the torn mint leaves and extra-virgin olive oil. Puree the vegetables.
  • Transfer the pureed vegetables to the bowl with the pasta and add the Parmesan. Stir to combine, adding the pasta cooking liquid 1/2 cup at a time until the pasta is saucy. Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top and serve.

RIGATONI WITH ITALIAN EGGPLANT



Rigatoni with Italian Eggplant image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h12m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups Italian eggplant, diced to 1/2-inch pieces
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained
2/3 cup red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 pound dry rigatoni
Grated Romano cheese, to finish

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and cook. Continue stirring until softened, about 3 more minutes.
  • Add tomatoes, with liquid, breaking them up with the back of spoon. Stir in wine, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente; drain. Toss pasta with sauce in pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Serve on a large platter and top with grated Romano cheese.

RIGATONI WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT PUREE



Rigatoni With Roasted Eggplant Puree image

Make and share this Rigatoni With Roasted Eggplant Puree recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Grace Lynn

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 1/4-2 1/2 lbs eggplants
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
fine sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 lb rigatoni pasta
freshly grated grana padano or pecorino toscano cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees with rack in the middle. Linea baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut eggplants in half lengthwise and score flesh sides in a crosshatch pattern with a small sharp knife. Brush with 1 tablespoon of oil and season with generous pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange eggplant cut-side down on prepared baking sheet and bake, rotating pan once halfway through, until tender. About 45 to 50 minutes.
  • Transfer baking sheet with roasted eggplant to wire rack. Turn eggplant halves cut-side up; let cool 5 minutes, then scrape eggplant flesh from skins; discard skins. Place flesh in a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl; let drain 10 minutes. Discard liquid.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • In center of cutting board, mound parsley, pine nuts, garlic and oregano; finely chop mixture together.
  • In a large skillet, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add parsley mixture, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, 3 minutes. Stir in eggplant and cook 1 minute more. Remove skillet from heat.
  • Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente; drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add eggplant mixture and cheese; toss to combine well. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 650.9, Fat 22, SaturatedFat 3.5, Cholesterol 95.8, Sodium 33.8, Carbohydrate 97.2, Fiber 12.9, Sugar 8.4, Protein 19.6

BAKED RIGATONI WITH EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE



Baked Rigatoni With Eggplant and Sausage image

I got this recipe from the Food Network. It is Tyler Florence's. It was SO delicious and easy. Everyone loved it and it is a nice take-off on baked rigatoni/ziti. My kids loved it, too.

Provided by LizP5885

Categories     Pork

Time 50m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

kosher salt
extra virgin olive oil
6 links Italian sausage
1 large eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
28 ounces peeled whole tomatoes
1 bunch basil (small bunch)
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese
fresh ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat for the pasta.
  • Oil a 9x13 pan with olive oil.
  • Heat a 3 Tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the sausages and toss in the hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes, you want them nicely browned on the outside but still rare on the inside. Put the sausages in the baking dish.
  • Turn the heat down to medium.
  • Add 1/3 cup of oil to the skillet and get it hot. Add as many eggplant pieces as you can comfortably fit in a single layer and sprinkle well with salt. Cook, turning, for 7 to 8 minutes, until the eggplant is nice and browned, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Use a spatula to put the eggplant into the baking dish with the sausage. Cook the rest of the eggplant pieces, adding more oil to the pan, as needed, and putting the finished eggplant into the baking dish.
  • Add another 3 Tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then the onion and garlic, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until translucent.
  • Dump the whole can of tomatoes and their juices into a bowl and crush the tomatoes with your hands to break them up; add that to the pan with the basil and cook it down until pulpy and relatively thick. This will take about 15 minutes.
  • Add the rigatoni to the boiling pasta water, give it a stir, and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, it should be slightly firm as it will cook further in the oven. Ladle out 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and reserve; the drain the rigatoni.
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  • Chop the sausages into nice big, bite-size chunky pieces and return the pieces to the baking dish. Add the tomato sauce, rigatoni, and the reserved pasta water.
  • Break up half the mozzarella over the mixture, season with salt and pepper, and gently mix with your hands or a spatula until combined.
  • Dust with the Parmigiano and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Spread the remaining mozzarella in an even layer over the top and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 689.8, Fat 35.3, SaturatedFat 15.9, Cholesterol 135.4, Sodium 1296.7, Carbohydrate 55.1, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 7.5, Protein 38.3

Tips:

  • To save time, use pre-cooked eggplant or roast a large batch of eggplant ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
  • If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute chopped walnuts or almonds.
  • For a vegetarian version of this dish, omit the pancetta.
  • Serve this dish with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Garnish the dish with fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, for a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Rigatoni with Eggplant and Pine Nut Crunch is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of roasted eggplant, crispy pine nuts, and flavorful sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. This dish is also relatively easy to make, making it a great option for busy home cooks. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give this recipe a try!

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