Let’s get spicy! Do you like spicy dishes? And what about eggplant? If you feel like combination both, this gluten-free, spicy tomato sauce with roasted eggplant will be your jam!
I like pasta. I haven’t had a lot of pasta recently as I wanted to keep my carbs low. But who can resist pasta from time to time, right? Especially when I create a real, authentic spicy tomato sauce!
Surely I didn’t stop eating pasta as it’s so good! Especially if you don’t have to worry about gluten and can easily buy wheat-free pasta! I love Barilla gluten-free pasta. They don’t turn so overcooked and yellow like some other brands! For this recipe, I used gluten-free Barilla spaghetti.
If you don’t like spaghetti and prefer other shapes, make sure you check all range of Barilla gluten-free pasta.
Do you cook much with eggplants? I sometimes catch myself that I don’t buy them too often. I don’t know why. Sometimes I just don’t feel like eating an eggplant. Sometimes I have an absolutely wonderful idea about how to use them!
I didn’t know about many health benefits of eggplants. I just ate them because I knew they didn’t contain a lot of carbs and they are low in calories. Perhaps, they are a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet.
Indeed, eggplants are a nonstarchy vegetable that is quite rich in fibre, protein and it has very little fat. Eggplants are an excellent choice for people with diabetes.
Eggplants have a very hearty texture and therefore they are often a great substitute for meat. Ask any vegan if they use eggplant for cooking. No one will say no!
What are the other health benefits of an eggplant? They contain vitamin C and K, potassium, folate, and manganese. Eggplants are high in antioxidants and work great as a protectin sheet against free radicals.
Eggplants are work as food for our brain. They protect cell membranes from any damage. That’s because eggplants include a phytonutrient called nasunin. This powerful phytonutrient protects lipids in brain cell membranes.
I hope you like spicy food! How do you make this eggplant pasta spicy? I added ground cayenne red pepper and chili flakes.
Don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil leaves because these add sooo good authentic Italian flavour. You can also garnish with a little bit of vegan parmesan!
More pasta recipes? Then you would like to try these:
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants cut in cubes
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion peeled, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp chilli flakes optional
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 pack gluten-free pasta e.g. spaghetti
- fresh basil leaves for garnish
- vegan parmesan for garnish (optional)
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Spread eggplant cubes on baking paper in a baking tray and sprinkle them with sea salt. Set them aside for 5 minutes. Then soak excess liquid with a kitchen paper.
- Place the tray with eggplant in the oven and roast it for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan and add onion and garlic. SauteƩ for 2 minutes, then add cayenne pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, and chili flakes, if using. Mix and cook for 1 minute.
- Add roasted eggplant, canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add pepper to taste.
- In another saucepan bring water to boil, add salt and your gluten-free pasta. Cook according to package instructions. Usually about10-12 minutes. Then drain and rinse.
- Divide into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves, sesame seeds, and vegan parmesan.
- Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Donāt forget to tag me on Instagram @writtenbyvegan or use hashtag #writtenbyvegan or share it with your friends and family! You can also rate this recipe below!
Klara Walterova
Klara is a professional freelance writer for hire. She offers web content, blog posting, ghostwriting and copywriting. She writes for a healthy lifestyle, wellness and travel websites. She focuses on veganism and the vegan diet. When she's not writing, she develops new tasty vegan recipes, travels the world or plays with her cats. Please contact her for her online writing services on her website writtenbyvegan.com or visit her Instagram profile @writtenbyvegan.