Eggplant Parm & Pasta Sauce Recipes!

There is NO doubt about it, this recipe is now a favorite in my house! I will be making this a lot. It is simple, healthy, and soooooo good! If you aren't much of a cooker you can just buy a jarred pasta sauce to use instead of making your own BUT you may just wanna give my pasta sauce recipe a try ;)
Monday after class I went to the grocery store to get a few things and out of no where Eggplant Parm came to my mind so I bought the ingredients I didn't have on hand at home. Going into this I was hoping it would turn out "okay" because I've never cooked with eggplant, it turned out better than I could have even hoped for! I am very happy with the way it turned out and just how easy it was to make! Below is the recipe for the Eggplant Parm as well as my pasta sauce! I served my dish with fettuccine noodles & crescent rolls.

Gather Ingredients Needed
*1/2c Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
*1/4c grated parmesan cheese (I was out so I chopped already shredded mozzarella)
*1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste (this will add spice if you do not like spice you do not have to add this)
*1 eggplant; trimmed, peeled, and sliced 1/2-in thick
*1/2c olive oil
*Sea salt & pepper to taste
*1 package mozzarella cheese; shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425. Grease a cookie sheet
2. Mix seasoned bread crumbs, 1/4c parm cheese, red pepper flakes, & salt/pepper to taste in a bowl. Brush eggplant slices with olive oil on each side and press into crumb mixture to coat. Lay slices onto baking sheet and bake in preheated oven until browned and tender, about 15 minutes. Remove eggplant and reduce oven temp to 375.
4. Place eggplant slices into prepared baking dish, overlapping slices. Spoon tomato sauce over eggplant and top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. Turn oven to broil and cook 1-2 minutes to give the cheese topping a golden color. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving!


My Pasta Sauce Recipe!

Like I mentioned in my post above you can simplify this dish by just using a jarred pasta sauce, or you can use my recipe to make your own! This recipe is what I use anytime I make spaghetti, my baked ravioli, or any other red sauce pasta dish. It is nice a full of flavor with a subtle hint of sweetness to cut the acidity in the tomatoes!

Gather Needed Ingredients:
*1 tblsp Olive Oil
*1.5 tblsp Minced Garlic
*1 (14.5oz) Can Stewed Tomatoes (I use Hunts)
*1 (14.5oz) Can Diced Italian Flavored Tomatoes; drained (Again, Hunts brand)
*1 (6oz) Can tomato paste
*1/4 teasp dried oregano
*1/4 teasp dried basil
*Salt to taste
*1 teasp brown sugar (you can also use regular granulated sugar it's up to you)

Heat oil and add garlic, saute. Add canned tomatoes, seasonings, salt & pepper let mixture boil then lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Spoon bigger chunks into blender and blend on "Salsa" setting just enough to break down chunks. Add back to pan and simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes add tomato paste, this will thicken the sauce. Simmer 5 more minutes.




I hope you all enjoy my dishes as much as we do here at my home! I am grateful for everyone who is "sharing" my facebook "like" page, Country Mom Chef. There is where I give updates about new recipes I'm making and post links to my blog. If you aren't already a follower please feel free to do so! I also have a facebook account I am working on having linked to this blog, please add me on both! :)
HAPPY COOKING!