Cheesy Bow Ties with Roasted Eggplant and Peppers
Savor the delightful flavors of roasted vegetables and three types of cheese in this comforting One Dish Meal. This Cheesy Bow Ties with Roasted Eggplant and Peppers recipe combines tender bow tie pasta with velvety mozzarella, creamy ricotta, and nutty parmesan, all enriched by the caramelized sweetness of roasted garlic, red pepper, and eggplant. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, it's a dish that’s sure to impress while being easy enough for a weeknight meal. Enjoy the vibrant colors and flavors as you indulge in this hearty vegetarian delight!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
garlic
2 cloves (peeled)
red pepper
1 medium (whole)
eggplant
1 small (about 1 1/4 lbs) (cut lengthwise in half)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for roasting)
bow tie pasta
12 ounces (dry)
sun-dried tomatoes
4 (diced)
mozzarella cheese
4 ounces (cut into 1/2 inch dice)
heavy cream
1/2 cup (or whipping cream)
basil leaves
10 medium (thinly sliced)
parmesan cheese
1 cup (grated)
ricotta cheese
1/2 cup (for topping)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating a covered 4-quart saucepan of salted water over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil.
2
While the water is heating, preheat your broiler to its highest setting.
3
In a bowl, toss the whole garlic cloves, unseeded red pepper, and halved eggplant with 2 teaspoons of olive oil until lightly coated.
4
Place the coated vegetables on a broiling pan without a rack and position it about 4 inches away from the heat source in the broiler.
5
Broil the vegetables, turning occasionally, until the garlic is lightly browned (approximately 8 minutes), the pepper skin is blistered and charred, and the eggplant is fork-tender (approximately 14 minutes). Remove each vegetable as it finishes cooking.
6
Allow the roasted vegetables to cool slightly, then peel the skin off the charred pepper and discard the seeds and stem. Peel the eggplant and cut it into 1/2-inch dice. Transfer the prepared vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
7
Once the water is boiling, add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
8
While the pasta cooks, add the roasted garlic, diced red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes to a blender. Pulse until pureed, then transfer this mixture to the bowl with the roasted eggplant. Stir in the diced mozzarella, heavy cream, sliced basil, and 3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
9
Combine the cooked pasta with the eggplant mixture, stirring well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
10
Spoon the pasta mixture into a broiler-safe baking dish, dot with ricotta cheese, and sprinkle the remaining parmesan on top.
11
Return the dish to the broiler, placing it about 4 inches from the heat. Broil for about 6 minutes, or until the ricotta is golden and bubbling.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary ingredients in Cheesy Bow Ties with Roasted Eggplant and Peppers?
The dish features bow tie pasta, small eggplant, red pepper, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheese.
How much bow tie pasta is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 12 ounces of dry bow tie pasta.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly one-dish meal.
What size eggplant should be used?
A small eggplant weighing approximately 1 1/4 lbs is recommended.
How is the garlic prepared for roasting?
Use 2 cloves of garlic that have been peeled before tossing them with olive oil.
At what distance should I broil the vegetables?
Position the broiling pan about 4 inches away from the heat source.
How long should the garlic be broiled?
The garlic should be broiled for approximately 8 minutes until lightly browned.
How do I know when the eggplant is done roasting?
The eggplant is ready when it is fork-tender, which usually takes about 14 minutes of broiling.
What do I do with the red pepper after broiling?
Peel off the charred skin and discard the seeds and stem before transferring to a mixing bowl.
How should the eggplant be cut after roasting?
After peeling, the eggplant should be cut into 1/2-inch dice.
Which ingredients are pureed in the blender?
The roasted garlic, diced red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes are pureed together.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whipping cream.
How many sun-dried tomatoes are used?
Four diced sun-dried tomatoes are used in the puree.
What types of cheese are stirred into the pasta mixture?
Diced mozzarella and 3/4 cup of grated parmesan are stirred into the mixture.
How is the basil prepared for the recipe?
Ten medium basil leaves should be thinly sliced.
Where does the ricotta cheese go?
The ricotta cheese is dotted on top of the pasta mixture in the baking dish before the final broil.
How long is the final broiling step?
The final broil takes about 6 minutes, or until the ricotta is golden and bubbling.
Can I use parmesan cheese as a topping?
Yes, the remaining parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the dish along with the ricotta before the final broil.
What temperature should the broiler be set to?
The broiler should be set to its highest setting.
How is the pasta cooked?
The bow tie pasta should be cooked in salted boiling water until it is al dente.
How is the mozzarella prepared?
The mozzarella should be cut into 1/2-inch dice.
What amount of olive oil is used for roasting?
Use 2 teaspoons of olive oil to coat the vegetables.
Is the eggplant roasted whole?
No, the eggplant should be cut lengthwise in half before roasting.
What category does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as a vegetarian One Dish Meal and Italian comfort food.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
You can use whipping cream as an alternative to heavy cream.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese for the topping.
What is the total amount of parmesan used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese in total.
Should the red pepper be seeded before roasting?
No, roast the red pepper whole and unseeded.
What kind of baking dish is required?
A broiler-safe baking dish is needed for the final cooking step.
What are the flavors of this dish?
It features roasted garlic, caramelized peppers, nutty parmesan, creamy ricotta, and fresh basil.