Eggplant Sausage Casserole

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. Bake: 45 min. + standing

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Sep. 22, 2022
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
Eggplant Sausage Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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.