Savory Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta Sauce
This savory Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta Sauce has been a cherished family recipe for years. With its rich flavors and hearty texture, it elegantly complements pasta, serves as a delightful side dish, or stands proudly on its own alongside a fresh salad and crusty bread. The combination of tender eggplant, sautéed onions, and earthy mushrooms creates a comforting sauce that's both versatile and satisfying. Whether you enjoy it fresh or freeze it for convenient meal prep, this dish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. You can also adjust the flavors to your preference, making it a customizable favorite for your dining table.
4-6
Servings
75
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
olive oil
1 teaspoon (for sautéing)
eggplant
4 cups (cubed)
onion
1 medium (diced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
whole tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (drained and chopped, reserve the liquid)
mushrooms
1 cup (chopped fresh)
red wine
1/2 cup
parsley
1 tablespoon
basil
to taste (fresh leaves or 2 teaspoons dried)
sugar
1 teaspoon (or to taste)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
2
Add the minced garlic and cubed eggplant to the skillet, continuing to sauté for another 5 minutes until the eggplant begins to soften.
3
Stir in the reserved liquid from the chopped tomatoes, along with the chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, red wine, parsley, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
For a richer flavor, consider simmering the sauce for an hour or more until it reaches your desired taste. You can remove the lid during the last few minutes of cooking to allow the sauce to thicken more.
6
Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
10g
Carbs
1.7g
Protein
1.7g
Fiber
0.8g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta Sauce?
It is a rich, hearty, and versatile family recipe that works as a pasta sauce, a side dish, or a standalone meal with bread and salad.
Is this pasta sauce recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is labeled as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What are the primary ingredients in this sauce?
The main ingredients include eggplant, mushrooms, onions, whole canned tomatoes, and red wine.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 75 calories.
How should I prepare the eggplant for this recipe?
The eggplant should be cut into cubes before being sautéed with the garlic and onions.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute fresh basil with 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
What kind of wine is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of red wine to add depth to the flavor.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for at least 30 minutes, but can be cooked for an hour or more for a richer flavor.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
You can remove the lid during the last few minutes of simmering to allow the sauce to thicken more.
What is the fat content of this dish?
There is approximately 3.3g of fat per serving.
How should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the diced onions in olive oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until they become translucent.
Should I throw away the liquid from the canned tomatoes?
No, you should drain the tomatoes but reserve the liquid to stir back into the sauce.
What can I serve with this eggplant and mushroom sauce?
It is excellent over pasta, as a side dish, or served with crusty bread and a fresh salad.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen for convenient future meals.
Can I adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe?
Yes, the 1 teaspoon of sugar can be adjusted to your personal taste preference.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh chopped mushrooms.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides about 1.7g of protein.
What is the total carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 10g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need a total of 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of olive oil for sautéing.
Is there fiber in this sauce?
Yes, there is approximately 1.7g of fiber per serving.
Should the sauce be covered while simmering?
The sauce should generally be simmered uncovered, especially if you want it to thicken.
Can I add cheese to this dish?
Yes, serving the sauce hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese is highly recommended.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe uses 13 distinct ingredients including seasonings.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
Salt and pepper should be added to your personal taste.
What size can of tomatoes is needed?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes.
What is the sodium content?
The specific sodium content is not listed, as salt is added to taste.
How much parsley is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of parsley.
Is the eggplant peeled?
The instructions specify cubing the eggplant but do not require peeling it, allowing for extra texture.