Fettuccine with Roasted Eggplant
I will always be an Italian at heart. I can’t help it. I see pasta or homemade marinara sauce and drool. I love having the family over so I have an excuse to make Sunday Gravy for my famous baked ziti recipe :). However, since it’s just Jake and I. A perfect pasta dish for two is ideal.
And of course keeping my nutrition in mind, it’s always a conflict of interest when it comes to my favorite foods. So, when Thin Slim Foods sent me their Impastable pasta to try out, I knew exactly what I was going to make with it. Fettuccine with roasted eggplant tossed in a light marinara sauce with just a hint of ricotta cheese.
I was a bit skeptical when I read that their pasta only had 8g of carbs per serving. I figured something was fishy about it. But to my pleasant surprise it was true! I could pronounce everything in the ingredient list and knew I had another pantry item I can add to my list!
I have been super busy the last month that I never mentioned that Jake and I went to NYC for our anniversary 2 months ago!!! It was an absolute blast! We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria, went to the Natural History museum, the Hayden Planetarium, found some excellent places to eat, and saw The Phantom of the Opera. Jake is simply the best person to travel with, he figures everything out before we go, and we just have so much fun!
Thanks to Jake’s coworker, Margi, we ate at this AMAZING Italian place called Eataly. There is literally not a restaurant I can think of that is like this one. It’s 40,000 sq. ft. has a fresh market, at least 4 different internal restaurants on the inside, AND you can sip on wine as you shop and wait for your table! FAVORITE.I will be back.
I also REALLY want their cookbook!
I ordered the Rigatoni with roasted eggplant. OH EM GEE. Best pasta EVER. You can tell it was all made from scratch. I couldn’t wait to recreate this at home. Jake ordered their brick oven pizza The Carmelo. Of course I had a bite or two 😉 Again, AMAZING.
So here is my version of this dish:
Serves 3: Calories: 265, Fat: 10g, Net Carbs: 13g , Protein: 12g, Sodium: 535mg
You Need:
1 bag of Impastable fettuccini pasta
2 tbs olive oil
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbs tomato paste
1 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes
2 tbs fresh basil, chopped
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 eggplant, cubed
1 tbs olive oil
Salt and pepper
¼ cup of low fat ricotta cheese
Parmesan (garnish) – optional
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375
On a baking sheet toss eggplant cubes in the extra virgin olive oil and some salt and pepper to taste
Bake eggplant in oven for 30 minutes
Prepare pasta per instructions on bag
In a medium sized sauce pan, heat 2tbs olive oil and add garlic (make sure it doesn’t burn)
Add tomato paste and stir ( 30 seconds)
Take off heat temporarily, and pour in the whole tomatoes with juice and (my favorite part) squeeze each tomato until into small pieces- my secret
Put heat back on to medium low and let simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally
Add basil and red pepper flakes, let simmer for another 10 minutes
Toss pasta with eggplant, marinara sauce, and ricotta cheese
Split into two servings and top with some parmesan
Enjoy your date in!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
You had me at ricotta! 🙂
Danielle @ Where's the Mama says
Mmm. It's always nice to find good pasta dishes. I need a new one, so I'll have to try it. And congratulations on your anniversary!
Cravings of a Lunatic says
I haven't been to NYC in forever. I can't wait to head there this fall. Going to be so much fun. Love all the photos, especially the museum ones.
I adore fettuccine, this is sheer perfection. I could eat this every day, all the live long day.
Nancy [email protected] says
My hubby and I went to NYC in October without the kids and had an amazing time. Wish I had know about this restaurant! The pasta looks amazing!
[email protected] Mom says
How nice to celebrate your anniversary in NYC, although I guess they didn't have much snow yet there? We are in mounds and mounds of it! Awesome places you visited as well! I love roasted eggplant!
[email protected] says
No snow thank goodness! We went back in January, but it was very cold!! We kept going into stores to keep warm!
Anita Chu says
You two are the cutest! Thanks for sharing your NYC trip, looks like you did so many amazing things! And great dish - love the eggplant!
Back for Seconds says
Aww happy anniversary! Looks like a fun trip! I don't eat enough eggplant - this sounds super yummy!
Cookin Canuck says
It looks as though you had a fantastic trip to NYC! My husband and I lived for a couple of years before we were married and I'm dying to go back for a visit. This pasta dish looks fantastic...I'm always up for anything that involves marinara sauce and eggplant.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
This looks so yummy!! Sounds like you had a great time in NYC. I'm obsessed with Phantom of the Opera - it's my favorite show. I saw it back in August!
coop910 says
Your trip sounds so fun! You guys are just too cute. Also, my daughter JUST discovered a love of eggplant so I know what I'm making her!