Pasta with Roasted Veggies And Fresh Basil
A hearty and melt-in-your-mouth delicious gluten-free, vegetarian pasta dish. Roasted eggplant, roasted chickpeas, sautéed tomatoes and spinach mixed with fresh tomato sauce (use homemade or store-bought) and gluten-free pasta, and topped with fresh basil. Can be partially made ahead and comes together quickly when ready to eat.
Servings: 3 -4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 15.5 oz can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1 large eggplant or 4 small Japanese eggplant I sometimes find the smaller less seedy
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 1 5 oz container chopped spinach
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- Olive oil - approximately 5 tbsp divided.
- 1 - 2 cups Simple Tomato Sauce or store bought tomato sauce warmed (I add a cup or two depending on how saucy we want it)
- 1 box gluten-free pasta we used Banza Chickpea Rotini
- Fresh basil for serving
NOTE: the eggplant and chickpeas can be prepped ahead of time.
Instructions
Roasted Chickpeas and Eggplant
- Preheat oven to 400° F
- Drizzle Chickpeas with olive oil, salt & pepper.
- Place on a baking sheet & roast at for approx 15 minutes or until just crunchy. Place aside.
- Meanwhile, cut Eggplant into 1/2 inch cubes and place in a strainer. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 20 minutes*. (This removes some water and takes away any bitterness). *Note: I've skipped this step when short on time and it's still good.
- Toss eggplant in olive oil, salt & pepper to taste and bake at 400° for approx 30-45 minutes or until tender. Place aside.
- Can be made ahead of time.
Pasta & remaining veggies.
- When ready to eat, prep pasta according to package till al dente.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1-2 tbsp olive oil in a large sauce pan.
- Add garlic and cook about 1 minute or until just fragrant.
- Add in tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes or until starting to soften and blister.
- Add in Spinach and cook approximately 5 minutes or until starting to wilt.
- Add pasta, roasted eggplant, chickpeas, and tomato sauce (start with 1 cup sauce and add more as desired) to the pan with spinach and tomatoes. Stir and combine gently, heat for another minute or until eggplant warm.
- Serve and top with fresh basil. If not dairy free, also pairs well with ricotta salata, a spoonful of ricotta or parmigiana reggiano cheese.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyGFFamily or tag #HealthyGFFamily!
Hi, this looks so good and I can’t wait to try it!! I was just curious how much pasta you used since I’m using from a bulk bag. Also, about how many servings would you say this recipe makes? Thanks!
Thanks so much Allyson! And great questions! The sauce should be enough for 4 people. You can always add more tomato sauce to make it go farther. Regarding the pasts, one box of Banza is 8oz. One box of Barilla is 12oz. In my house, making a box usually feeds 3 of us (I’m feeding big pasta eaters), so I usually add a bit more if feeding 4. Let me know if you make it and how you like it!
Just made it for the second time tonight! Love this recipe!!
SO happy you love it as much as we do! Thanks for sharing!