Vegetable Ratatouille With Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 eggplants, cut into about 1/2-inch squares
• 3 large onions, coarsley chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1-2 medium zucchini, cut into about 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large red bell pepper, cut into about 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into about 1/2-inch pieces (or use 2 red or 2 yellow bell peppers, but don't use green)
• 8-9 ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
• 1 pinch dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme)
• 1 lb penne or rigatoni pasta, uncooked (can use more than 1 pound)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (more for sprinkling)

Directions

1. 1

   Stir together chopped eggplants, onions, 1/4 cup olive oil and salt to taste in a large roasting pan, then roast the mixture on the second-lowest oven rack at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. 2

   Add in zucchini, bell peppers and 2 tablespoons oil and more salt; return to oven and roast for another 20-25 minutes or until the bell peppers are tender.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, while veggies are roasting in the oven (or you can prepare this hours in advance also) in a large saucepan, simmer the chopped tomatoes, garlic, thyme and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bit more salt to taste; simmer about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.

4. 4

   Remove the roasting pan and stir in the tomato mixture into the roasting pan.

5. 5

   Add in about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; stir to combine, and season with black pepper and more salt if needed; set the roasting pan aside.

6. 6

   Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water seasoned with about 1 tablespoon salt; cook until JUST firm-tender; drain.

7. 7

   While the pasta is cooking, stir in fresh parsley and basil to the veggies in the roasting pan; mix to combine.

8. 8

   Add in the cooked drained pasta to about 1/3 of the veggie mixture; toss to combine.

9. 9

   Spread the remaining cooked pasta on a large serving dish and top with remaining ratatouille on top.

10. 10

    Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.