Spicy Eggplant Tomato Sauce Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add eggplant; cook 5 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta sauce and crushed pepper; simmer on medium-low heat 5 to 6 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in basil.
• Drain pasta. Serve topped with pasta sauce mixture.

Steps:

• Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta.
• Pulse the chopped tomatoes in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, or pass through the medium blade of a food mill with their juice before you begin. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, wide nonstick skillet or saucepan and add the garlic and crumbled chili (or flakes). Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to a minute, until the garlic is translucent and begins to smell fragrant, and add the tomatoes and their juice, salt, and oregano if using. Stir and turn up the heat. When the tomatoes begin to bubble, lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until thick and fragrant, 15 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Keep warm while you cook the pasta.
• When the pasta water comes to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt and the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente, following the timing instructions on the package but checking a minute or two before the time on the package. When the pasta is done, transfer to the pan with the sauce, add the basil if using, and toss together over medium heat until it is well coated with the sauce. Add half the cheese, toss together and serve, passing the remaining cheese at the table.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Pat the capers dry, then add them to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the capers to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, until tomato paste darkens in color and deepens in flavor, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the garlic and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and reduce heat to medium. Cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 2/3 cup pasta cooking water from the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to fall apart and the liquid becomes saucy, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce to combine. (If your skillet is too full to accommodate the pasta, you can transfer the cooked pasta back to the pot, then add the sauce to combine.) Stir in half the basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among plates or bowls and top with capers and remaining basil, plus cheese and whole basil leaves. Serve immediately.