Eggplant Sausage Casserole

Total Time Prep: 45 min. Bake: 45 min. + standing
Yield 12 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
If you want your kids to happily eat their eggplant, serve it in this lovely layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a popular potluck item, it's a great company dish, as well. —Carol Mieske, Red Bluff, California

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
  • 2 pounds bulk Italian sausage
  • 1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
  • 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Set sausage aside.
  2. In the same skillet, saute eggplant and onion in oil. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, basil and paprika; simmer, partially covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain pasta; stir into eggplant mixture. Add sausage.
  3. Spread half of the sausage mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Spread with ricotta cheese. Top with half of the cheese and remaining sausage mixture.
  4. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 606 calories, 36g fat (15g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1066mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 31g protein.

If you want your kids to happily eat their eggplant, serve it in this lovely layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a popular potluck item, it's a great company dish, as well. —Carol Mieske, Red Bluff, California
Recipe Creator

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