Emeril's Eggplant, Sausage, and Ziti Casserole Recipe #104761
From his book "Emeril's Potluck, Comfort Food with a Kicked Up Attitude".
by Tina Madden
1¾ hours | 45 min prep
SERVES 8 -10
- 1 large eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/3 inch thick rounds
- 1/2 cup olive oil, plus
- more olive oil, as needed
- salt
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounce) can whole Italian tomatoes, crushed, and their juices
- 1 teaspoon Italian spices
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaf
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces ziti pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/4 cup of the oil.
- Add the eggplant in batches, seasoning on both sides with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, adding more oil as needed.
- Transfer to a plate as they cook, and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- When hot but not smoking, add the onion and sausage, and cook, stirring, until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, their juices, the Italian seasoning, black olives, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the crushed red pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and gently simmer, uncovered, until the flavors marry and the sauce slightly thickens, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Add the basil and adjust seasoning, to taste.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and forms a light roux, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the milk and, whisking frequently, cook until the sauce is thickened and smooth, about 4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Arrange half of the eggplant slices on the bottom of the casserole, overlapping as necessary.
- Top with half of the cooked pasta, then half of the sausage-tomato sauce.
- Place another layer of eggplant slices on top of the sauce, then layers of pasta and sausage-tomato sauce.
- Pour on the white sauce, then top with the grated mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake for 1 hour, or until puffed and golden brown on top.
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5 stars