Eggplant Goat Cheese Pasta

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this creamy and flavor-packed Eggplant Goat Cheese Pasta. Tender penne is tossed in a luscious, tangy goat cheese sauce infused with sweet cherry tomatoes, golden sautéed eggplant, and fragrant garlic. A handful of fresh basil and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes add a vibrant, herbaceous finish with just a hint of heat. Ready in under 40 minutes, this vegetarian pasta recipe strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and freshness. Ideal for busy nights or casual gatherings, it's a comforting yet refined dish that pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of sauce.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 medium eggplant
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 4 ounces goat cheese
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, dice the eggplant into 1-inch cubes. Mince the garlic cloves and halve the cherry tomatoes.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplant and sauté for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cubes are golden brown and tender.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their juices.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low. Crumble the goat cheese into the skillet and stir gently until it begins to melt and create a creamy sauce.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it in the sauce. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Stir in the fresh basil leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1346.5 grams (1346.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2444

Total Fat 100.90g	129%
Saturated Fat 40.90g	205%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.40g
Cholesterol 125mg	42%
Sodium 4393mg	191%
Total Carbohydrate 296.90g	108%
Dietary Fiber 31.90g	114%
Total Sugars 25.50g
Protein 98.30g	197%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 945mg	73%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 2721mg	58%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.5%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 47.7%