Best 6 Rigatoni With Eggplant Caponata Recipes

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Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of "Rigatoni with Eggplant Caponata", a delectable dish that seamlessly blends the rich traditions of Italian cuisine with the irresistible allure of Mediterranean flavors. Embark on a culinary journey where tender rigatoni pasta embraces a symphony of savory roasted eggplant, sweet bell peppers, tangy tomatoes, and briny capers, all lovingly united by a velvety tomato sauce. This culinary masterpiece, bursting with vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas, promises an unforgettable dining experience that will transport you to the heart of the Italian countryside.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EGGPLANT CAPONATA PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND BASIL



Eggplant Caponata Pasta With Ricotta and Basil image

This weeknight pasta is inspired by traditional caponata, a tangy, salty-sweet Italian dish made with sautéed eggplant, tomatoes, caramelized onions, capers, anchovies, olives and vinegar. Though caponata is often served as a side, salad or relish, this eggplant sauté forms the foundation of a hearty vegetarian pasta. For the best results, taste and season your eggplant mixture with salt and pepper as you cook little by little - or even recklessly. It should taste quite salty and tangy on its own, but will mellow when tossed with pasta, pasta water and creamy ricotta.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt and black pepper
1/3 cup raisins, preferably yellow
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if desired
2 small Italian eggplants (2 pounds total), trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
12 ounces orecchiette (or other shaped pasta)
1/3 cup finely chopped shallot (about 1 small shallot)
1/4 cup pine nuts
3 tablespoons drained brined capers
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/3 packed cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, plus more torn leaves for garnish
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 cup fresh ricotta or burrata (about 8 ounces)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the raisins, sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and let cook about 2 minutes, then cover and set aside.
  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high. Stir in half the eggplant to coat evenly in the oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned in spots, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. (Eggplant should brown and tenderize but still maintain its shape.) Heat another 1/4 cup oil, then add remaining eggplant; season and repeat.
  • While the eggplant cooks, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. (You might not use all the pasta water.)
  • Add another 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Cook the shallot, pine nuts, capers, garlic and red-pepper flakes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the eggplant, along with the sliced basil and vinegar.
  • Strain the soaked raisins, discarding the soaking liquid, then add the raisins to the eggplant mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper. The mixture should taste quite aggressively salty and tangy, but it will mellow when tossed with pasta and ricotta. (Eggplant mixture can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 2 days.)
  • Add eggplant mixture, pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the pot. Toss to coat over medium heat until eggplant is warmed, adding extra pasta water if necessary. Divide among shallow bowls, top with ricotta and additional torn basil and serve immediately. Pass with additional olive oil for drizzling, if desired.

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.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)



Eggplant Caponata (Sicilian Version) image

Delicious relish or appetizer that can be served hot or cold! Serve with toasted crusty bread.

Provided by rocks_67

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Antipasto Recipes

Time 1h34m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
salt to taste
¼ cup olive oil, divided
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ½ cups canned plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
12 green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 ½ tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon minced oregano
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley, or to taste

Steps:

  • Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
  • Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
  • Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 297 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

RUTH'S EGGPLANT CAPONATA



Ruth's Eggplant Caponata image

A flavorful blend of veggies and spices, perfect served with crunchy French bread.

Provided by RuthE

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Tomatoes

Time 1h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Japanese or other small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup water
⅓ cup dry red wine
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons capers, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook eggplant, onion, garlic, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper, stirring frequently, until onion is slightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add tomatoes, water, wine, and bay leaf. Simmer, stirring frequently, until eggplant is tender and mixture is thickened, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, capers, and vinegar. Let cool 30 minutes, then discard bay leaf. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 60.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 216.4 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

EGGPLANT CAPONATA CROSTINI



Eggplant Caponata Crostini image

Here is an easy, fast recipe for an appetizer redolent with the deep flavors of summer. Wait until the caponata is finished before toasting the bread. (The New York Times)

Provided by Elaine Louie

Time 45m

Yield 4 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Spanish onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic
1 eggplant, about 3/4 pound, cut into 3/4 inch dice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tomatoes, cut into 3/4 inch dice
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped capers
1/4 baguette, sliced diagonally into eight 1/2-inch-thick rounds, or other slices of crusty bread
Aged balsamic vinegar, for sprinkling
1-2 leaves basil, sliced into a chiffonade
Fleur de sel, Maldon salt, or other flaky sea salt

Steps:

  • Place a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the onion, and sauté until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and continue to sauté until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
  • Wash skillet and return to medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and allow to heat until shimmering. Working in batches if necessary, add a single layer of eggplant, and toss to coat in oil. Fry, stirring frequently, until tender and evenly browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Wash skillet and return to medium heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and tomatoes. Sauté until tomatoes are tender but have not lost their shape, and almost all the liquid has evaporated.
  • In a large bowl, combine eggplant, onion mixture, tomatoes, raisins and capers. Toss gently to mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • To serve, toast the sliced bread, and top with a large spoonful of the caponata mixture. Sprinkle with a few drops of vinegar, and garnish with the basil chiffonade, and a few grains of flaky sea salt.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 308, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 639 milligrams, Sugar 18 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Choose the right eggplant. Look for eggplants that are small and firm, with a deep purple color.
  • Cut the eggplant properly. Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Salt the eggplant before cooking. This will help to draw out the bitterness and make the eggplant more flavorful.
  • Cook the eggplant over medium heat. This will help to prevent it from burning.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. When cooking the eggplant, make sure to leave enough space between the pieces so that they can cook evenly.
  • Add the caponata to your favorite pasta. Caponata is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of pastas, such as rigatoni, penne, or spaghetti.

Conclusion:

Rigatoni with eggplant caponata is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The caponata is a flavorful and versatile sauce that can be served with a variety of pastas. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to please everyone at your table.

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