This Eggplant Spaghetti Sauce is a rustic, comforting dish that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious topping for pasta. The key is sweating the eggplant and onions until they release their moisture and meld into a thick, savory base. Fresh garlic, parsley, oregano, and basil provide bright, aromatic notes, while a splash of red wine adds depth and complexity. The long simmer allows the flavors to concentrate, resulting in a sauce that is both hearty and elegant. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this vegan-friendly sauce pairs beautifully with spaghetti, ziti, or even as a dip for crusty bread. It’s a versatile staple that tastes even better the next day, making it a wonderful candidate for meal prep or batch cooking.
Eggplant Spaghetti Sauce
Description
This Eggplant Spaghetti Sauce is a rustic, comforting dish that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious topping for pasta. The key is sweating the eggplant and onions until they release their moisture and meld into a thick, savory base. Fresh garlic, parsley, oregano, and basil provide bright, aromatic notes, while a splash of red wine adds depth and complexity. The long simmer allows the flavors to concentrate, resulting in a sauce that is both hearty and elegant. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this vegan-friendly sauce pairs beautifully with spaghetti, ziti, or even as a dip for crusty bread. It&# 226;ÂÂs a versatile staple that tastes even better the next day, making it a wonderful candidate for meal prep or batch cooking.Ingredients
Directions
-
Peel the eggplant and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes.
-
Finely chop the onion, smash and mince the garlic, and mince the fresh parsley.
-
Open the cans of Italian tomatoes and tomato paste; have the red wine, oregano, and basil ready.
-
Heat the corn oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot.
-
Add the chopped onions and eggplant cubes to the pot.
-
Stir often, cooking until the vegetables sweat and release most of their fluid, becoming soft and translucent.
-
Add the minced garlic and stir well, allowing it to cook for about one minute until fragrant.
-
Stir in the Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine, mixing thoroughly to combine.
-
Add the fresh parsley, oregano, and basil, stirring to blend the herbs into the sauce.
-
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-
If using optional meat additions (sausage, ground meat, chicken, or pork), add them now and simmer for another 15 minutes until cooked through.
-
Taste the sauce; if the eggplant is slightly bitter, add sugar to balance the flavor.
-
Continue to simmer for another 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
-
Season with salt to taste, stirring well.
-
For extra heat, stir in a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder before serving.
-
Serve immediately over pasta or store in the refrigerator for later use, as flavors improve the next day.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 148.8kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15.1g24%
- Saturated Fat 1.9g10%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 1.8mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 3.8g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1.2g5%
- Sugars 1.9g
- Protein 0.5g1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.