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    Home » Pasta

    Published: Feb 5, 2019 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Sicilian Eggplant and Mushroom Penne

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A great recipe for weeknight dinner; this Eggplant and Mushroom Penne is super easy and delish.

    Made with red lentil pasts; this one comes together in under 30 minutes and is super delicious! 

    This post is sponsored by Barilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #TeamCleanPlate

    Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

    Pasta lovers; have you tried eggplant in your pasta yet? If you haven't, the end of this recipe will convince you to make it! I have made this recipe several times and it has been great each time! 

    Whenever we enjoy pasta for dinner; it would generally be the regular white sauce, pesto sauce or marinara. Some time back I tried this version because I had a HUGE eggplant in my refrigerator and now it has become one of our favorite recipes.

    I posted a pasta recipe a couple of days ago (here: Red Lentil Pasta in Sundried Tomato pesto) and here is another variation for using Barilla Red Lentil Pasta. This time I used penne and paired it with an amazing tomato based sauce. I added a LOT of eggplant to the dish and it tasted super yum! 

     

    Eggplant in pasta?

     

    If you have folks in the house who DO NOT like eggplant, this recipe might help you change that. One big eggplant diced and added to this red lentil pasta makes a super delish dish. For meat lovers, the addition of eggplant and mushrooms makes the Vegetarian dish 'meaty'. 

    I have read about a lot of pasta options online and it is wonderful to find that there is a traditional Sicilian recipe called Pasta Alla Norma. This dish uses eggplant as a star and makes a wonderful weeknight meal. 


    I started off with that and modified the recipe to suit my family. Fried eggplant replaced with pan fried eggplant, diced tomatoes from the can substituted with fresh tomatoes and added some extra veggies like mushroom and spinach. Yet, eggplant is the STAR here and shines through all the flavors! 

    If you are an eggplant lover, these recipes are PERFECT to check out:

    • Healthy BAKED Eggplant Parmesan
    • Begun Bhaja | Pan-fried Eggplant Fritters
    • FIVE ingredient Chipotle Grilled Eggplant
    • Baingan Bharta

    Red Lentil Pasta anyone?

    For this recipe I used Barilla Red Lentil Pasta. This Penne is made from JUST one ingredient; red lentil flour. Gluten free, grain free and perfect for Vegetarians and Vegans; this pasta has a permanent spot in my pantry! 

    After I posted the last recipe; some of my readers messaged me to ask how difficult it is to get this to cook. They tried some and never made it right 🙁 This one is different; al-dente in just 7-8 minutes using boiling water! I love this one so much, I need to try their other variant; Chickpea Pasta real soon! 

     

    Why make this recipe?

    Weeknight dinners might be challenging to plan. If you need a recipe that comes together quickly and is delish, you must make this recipe. Need more reasons? Here they are:

    • The recipe is gluten-free
    • A great source of plant based protein
    • The recipe can be made Vegan easily; just skip the cheese on top
    • Needs only a handful of ingredients
    • Comes together in under 30 minutes! 


    Variations

     

    I used Barilla Red Lentil Penne for this recipe. However, Barilla Red Lentil Rotini works well too. The grooves in either of them helps hold the sauce. 

    I had a BIG eggplant in my refrigerator, so I used that. However, Chinese eggplants or small Indian eggplants can be used too. Plus, I used mushrooms and spinach. Adding some more vegetables is a great option too. 


    The marinara sauce in the recipe can be made at home or bought from the store. Both work equally well. Finally, I added some shredded cheese on the pasta. However it can be skipped to make the pasta Vegan. 

    I hope you try this one really soon. If you LOVE pastas; try more recipes from here:

    • Bow-Tie Pasta in Pumpkin Sauce
    • Healthy Vegetable Pasta Casserole
    • Peas & Asparagus Stuffed Jumbo Shell Pasta
    • Penne In Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
    • Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

    Now head straight to the recipe! Hope you enjoy it!

    Ingredients

    Barilla Red Lentil Penne 2 cups (buy it HERE)

    Eggplant 1 medium, diced

    Mushroom 8-10, chopped

    Tomato 1 medium, diced

    Onion ½ medium, diced

    Green Pepper ½ medium, diced

    Spinach leaves 5-6, chopped

    Garlic 2-3 cloves, minced

    Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 tbsp

    Barilla Marinara Sauce ¼ cup

    Salt 2 tsp

    Black Pepper powder ¼ tsp

    Dried Oregano/Basil 1 tsp

    Shredded cheese of your choice 2 tbsp

    Method

    In a large pan of boiling water, add 1 teaspoon salt and penne pasta. Cook for 7-8 minutes till al-dente.

    Drain and set aside.

    In a heavy bottom pan add 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

    Once hot, add the eggplant and mushrooms in a single layer.

    Let them become crisp for 4-5 minutes. 

    Move the cooked eggplant and mushrooms to the side of the pan or remove in a plate. 

    Add the remaining oil.

    Sauté garlic till flavorful and add in onions and pepper.

    Mix well and let them cook for 4-5 minutes.

    Mix in the eggplant and mushrooms.

    Add spinach leaves and cook till they wilt.

    Season with salt, pepper and oregano. Mix well.

    Add the tomatoes and marinara sauce.

    Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes.

    Add the cooked penne and toss till the pasta is coated with the sauce.

    Serve topped with shredded cheese. Enjoy with a side of salad or garlic bread. 

    More Eggplant Recipes

    • Begun Bhaja | Pan-fried Eggplant Fritters
    • Baingan Bharta in a bowl with a folded roti next to it and topped with cilantro and green onions.
      Baingan Bharta | Mashed Smoked Eggplant Curry
    • A white plate with baked parmesan eggplant slices served with pasta on the side.
      Healthy BAKED Eggplant Parmesan
    • Vegan Sichuan Eggplant Noodles

    I love seeing when you share my recipes!

    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!

    A gray plate with gray bowl filled with Sicilian Eggplant Mushroom Penne with for and spoon on the side.

    Sicilian Eggplant and Mushroom Penne

    Smruti
    A great recipe for weeknight dinner; this Eggplant and Mushroom Penne is super easy and delish.
    Made with red lentil pasts; this one comes together in under 30 minutes and is super delicious! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 353 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    To cook the Pasta

    • 2 cups Red Lentil Penne
    • 1½ teaspoon salt
    • 4 cups water

    For the Pasta

    • 1 medium Eggplant (diced)
    • 8-10 Mushroom (chopped)
    • 1 medium Tomato (diced)
    • ½ medium Onion (diced)
    • ½ medium Green Pepper (diced)
    • 5-6 Spinach leaves (chopped)
    • 2-3 cloves Garlic (minced)
    • 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ¼ cup Barilla Marinara Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper powder
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
    • 2 tablespoon Shredded cheese

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pan of boiling water, add 1½ teaspoon salt and penne pasta. Cook for 7-8 minutes till al-dente.
      2 cups Red Lentil Penne, 1½ teaspoon salt, 4 cups water
    • Drain and set aside.
    • In a heavy bottom pan add 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
      2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Once hot, add the eggplant and mushrooms in a single layer.
      1 medium Eggplant, 8-10 Mushroom
    • Let them become crisp for 4-5 minutes.
    • Move the cooked eggplant and mushrooms to the side of the pan or remove in a plate.
    • Add the remaining oil.
    • Sauté garlic till flavorful and add in onions and pepper.
      ½ medium Onion, 2-3 cloves Garlic, ½ medium Green Pepper
    • Mix well and let them cook for 4-5 minutes.
    • Mix in the eggplant and mushrooms.
    • Add spinach leaves and cook till they wilt.
      5-6 Spinach leaves
    • Season with salt, pepper and oregano. Mix well.
      1 teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper powder, 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
    • Add the tomatoes and marinara sauce.
      1 medium Tomato, ¼ cup Barilla Marinara Sauce
    • Let everything simmer for a couple of minutes.
    • Add the cooked penne and toss till the pasta is coated with the sauce.
    • Serve topped with shredded cheese. Enjoy with a side of salad or garlic bread.
      2 tablespoon Shredded cheese

    Notes

    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 1049mgPotassium: 386mgFiber: 9gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 373IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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