Sausage Eggplant Pasta Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this bold and hearty Sausage Eggplant Pasta Sauce—a deliciously rich blend perfect for bringing restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen. This recipe combines the savory flavors of crumbled Italian sausage and tender, caramelized eggplant, complemented by aromatic garlic, onions, and a robust tomato base seasoned with dried oregano, basil, and a hint of red pepper flakes for optional heat. Simmered to allow the flavors to meld beautifully, this sauce is both comforting and versatile, pairing effortlessly with your favorite pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and a dusting of Parmesan cheese for a dish that's as visually stunning as it is satisfying. Perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, this flavor-packed sauce will quickly become a go-to in your recipe collection.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1 eggplant (medium-sized, diced)
• 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 0 as needed grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Remove the casings from the sausage (if necessary) and crumble the sausage into the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 3

Add the diced eggplant to the pan and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned. If needed, add a little more olive oil to prevent sticking. Remove the eggplant and set aside with the sausage.

Step 4

In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and sugar. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage and eggplant to the pan. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Lower the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sugar if needed.

Step 9

Remove from heat and garnish the sauce with fresh chopped parsley.

Step 10

Serve the sausage eggplant pasta sauce over your favorite cooked pasta, and top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1538.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1721.7

Total Fat 127.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 270.8mg	0%
Sodium 6554.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 82.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.5g	0%
Total Sugars 45.8g
Protein 80.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 381.9mg	0%
Iron 13.2mg	0%
Potassium 3528.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.9%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 18.3%