BAKED PASTA WITH EGGPLANT RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add eggplant; cook until tender, stirring frequently. Remove from skillet. Add ground beef, onion, and garlic to skillet. Cook until meat is brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat. Stir in eggplant, tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and crushed red pepper. Spread mixture in a shallow baking pan to cool quickly.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Stir pasta into meat mixture.
• Line a 2-quart baking dish or 8x8x1 3/4-inch square disposable foil pan with a triple layer of plastic wrap, extending the wrap to one side so there is enough to cover when folded back over dish. Transfer meat mixture to the prepared baking dish. Fold plastic wrap over food, then wrap dish completely in foil. Freeze for up to 4 months
• To serve, remove foil from baking dish. Lift frozen food out of dish and remove plastic wrap; return food to dish. Cover with foil and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake, covered, about 75 minutes or until heated though (165°F), stirring mixture once halfway through baking. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
• In a large pot, boil the water.
• When it boils, add the salt and pasta.
• Stir for thirty seconds.
• Boil the pasta for eight minutes and drain.
• Cut the eggplant into 1 cm cubes.
• In a large bowl, using your hands, toss with the olive oil, garlic, and parmigiano cheese.
• Add salt, pepper, and oregano and toss.
• Grate the mozzarella.
• Toss 2/3 of the mozzarella cheese with the eggplant mixture.
• Reserve the other third.
• Using a spoon, flick bits of the ricotta into the bowl.
• Toss gently with your hands, using a folding technique- start at the bottom and fold it over the top so you don't spread the ricotta too much.
• Oil a 23 cm (9 in) square pan.
• When the pasta is cool enough to handle, add it to the bowl and toss quickly.
• Spread the mixture in the baking pan.
• Cover with the tomato sauce.
• Bang the pan on the counter a few times to get everything to settle and the air bubbles out.
• Cover with the remaining mozzarella.
• Cover LOOSELY with a"tent" of tin foil- do not let the foil touch the food!
• Bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove the tin foil and bake for 10 minutes more.
• Rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.