eggplant beef & mushroom pasta bake

How To Make eggplant beef & mushroom pasta bake

• Step 1
  In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tbsp. oil and when it shimmers, add eggplant; season with salt and pepper. Toss it before adding another 2 tbsp. oil. Cook for 1 minute and add 2 more tbsp. oil.
• Step 2
  Sauté the eggplant cubes for 10 minutes until brown and almost done. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• Step 3
  Add another tbsp. of oil to the skillet. Add onions and sauté for 1 minute.
• Step 4
  Add red and yellow peppers. Sauté all the ingredients for 2 minutes before adding the sliced mushrooms. Stir until blended, add salt and pepper, and sauté the vegetables for 1 minute.
• Step 5
  Cover and cook for 4 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.
• Step 6
  Transfer the ingredients to a large bowl and set aside as well.
• Step 7
  To the same skillet, add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces; season with salt and pepper. Cook it until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
• Step 8
  Halfway through cooking, add pressed garlic and continue cooking until the meat is done.
• Step 9
  Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and tomato paste. Pour in beef broth and cook for 5 minutes.
• Step 10
  Preheat oven to 350ºF and lightly grease a 15x10-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.
• Step 11
  Return eggplant cubes and the other cooked veggies. Add diced tomatoes and pasta sauce; stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
• Step 12
  Add half rigatoni pasta, stir to mix before adding the remaining half; stir well.
• Step 13
  Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spread it out evenly before sprinkling on grated cheese.
• Step 14
  Loosely cover with foil and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes; halfway through cooking, remove the foil.
• Step 15
  Half an hour later, remove from the heat and let it rest 5 minutes before sprinkling on some fresh chopped parsley.
• Step 16
  To view this tasty and comforting casserole on YouTube, click on this link >>> https://youtu.be/n4D-8IH2EFs
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