Easy Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Recipe - TheFoodXP (2024)

I used to describe eggplant as “meaty” until I had a bowl of Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese. It is an ideal alternative to meat; fortunately, this dish is all you need to try at home. The sauce here is a ragú of cubed eggplant, slowly simmered on the stove, giving you a vibrant flavor.

The presence of the eggplant won’t make you miss meat much. Our eggplant bolognese features a selection of flavourful spices and veggies. Spices like chili flakes and oregano make it a hot, bright, and deep dish with plenty of flavors you must try for one of your iftar meals this Ramadan.

The trick to improving this dish is roasting the eggplant before adding it to the sauce. We suggest burning the flesh until almost caramelized and the tender and charred skin melts into the sauce.

So, take your time with the steps, or you won’t get exact flavors and textures. Keep it slow and go by the guide. Try this recipe now and serve it to your friends over dinner. This may become one of our favorite ways to eat eggplant.

Is This The Exact Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Recipe?

This recipe is very close to Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese. The only difference is that we have used penne pasta, but the chef has used tortellini pasta. Else, we’ve used the same ingredients as the renowned chef does. It’s the same easy and oh-so-delicious recipe.

We were initially skeptical about this recipe, but it was the best pasta dish ever. It was yummy, and best of all, it was easy to prepare and healthy. All you have to do is follow this recipe guide thoroughly for the best results.

Is Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Different From Regular Eggplant Bolognese?

Yes, Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese is very different from the regular one. Bobby Flay has used tortellini pasta, a corkscrew-shaped pasta. This pasta’s spiral shape helps retain the sauce and make it more flavorful. At the same time, other recipes use rigatoni pasta, fusilli, or penne.

Besides this, Bobby Flay has used canned plum tomatoes to add some tartness, while other recipes combine tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Also, Bobby Flay hasn’t added any meat or mushrooms to this recipe, but you can find various recipes adding mushrooms, hearts, or both.

Why You’ll Love This Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese?

• This rustic dish is flavorful and relatively easy to prepare.
• You don’t need fancy ingredients to make it. Just ten common elements!
• Roasting the eggplant is the key to the perfect texture without any bitterness.

Can You Put Eggplant In Bolognese?

Yes, you can put eggplant in bolognese. It is a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine. The eggplant is typically diced or sliced, and it helps to add a bit of moisture and sweetness to the sauce. It also helps to thicken the sauce, making it more hearty and filling.

If you want to add eggplant to bolognese, cook it until it is soft by pan-frying, roasting, or grilling it. Once the eggplant is cooked, add it to the bolognese sauce and simmer it until it is heated.

Is This Bobby Flay Recipe Vegan Or Gluten Free?

No, Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese recipe is not vegan, as it contains grated Parmesan cheese over the top. However, you can find various vegan versions of eggplant bolognese online, using vegan Parmesan cheese or another vegan cheese substitute.

Also, this eggplant bolognese is not gluten-free as it contains tortellini pasta. However, many gluten-free pasta options, such as corn, rice, or lentils, are available online. In the eggplant bolognese recipe, you can use gluten-free pasta options instead of tortellini pasta.

Equipment Required For Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese

• Saucepan – Boil penne pasta in a saucepan until al dente.
• Frying Pan – Roast sliced eggplants in the frying pan until charred.
• Pot – Prepare eggplant bolognese in the pot until each eggplant is coated with the sauce.
• Knife – Cut eggplants, onions, celery, and basil leaves into stripes using a knife.
• Chopping Board – Chop the veggies on a chopping board for fine cutting.
• Grater – Grate the parmesan cheese using a grater for garnishing.
• Spatula – Use a spatula to toss pasta and cooked eggplant with the sauce.

Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Ingredients

• Eggplant – Roast eggplant until charred for this recipe to add a mild taste.
• Penne Pasta – We’ve used penne pasta for this eggplant bolognese recipe as it can hold the sauce better.
• Red Wine – Red wine will help release the flavors of the ingredients, adding slight sweetness.
• Parmesan Cheese – Grate some parmesan cheese for a fruity and nutty taste.
• Olive Oil – Sauté vegetables and prepare this Italian pasta dish using olive oil.
• Tomatoes – Use canned tomatoes to thicken the pasta sauce.
• Onion – Saute chopped onions to add a slight sweetness to this Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese.
• Carrots – Add some crunch with carrots to your bolognese.
• Celery – Use celery stalks to add leafy and earthy flavor to your dish.
• Garlic – Saute minced garlic to add a deep, zingy flavor.
• Sugar – We have added a teaspoon of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and help prevent the pasta from sticking together.
• Chilli Flakes – Spice up the sauce by adding a dash of chili flakes.
• Basil – Top your dish with basil leaves to add an extra touch of sweetness and spicy flavor.
• Oregano – Add a minty and zesty aroma with oregano.
• Salt – Enhance the overall flavor profile of this eggplant bolognese with a pinch of salt.
• Black Pepper – Spice up this dish by adding a dash of black pepper.

Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Ingredients Substitutions

• Eggplant – Eggplant is the critical ingredient in this recipe. But if you don’t have eggplant, you can substitute it with zucchini, mushrooms, or even lentils.
• Pasta – We’ve used penne pasta, ideal for retaining sauces on its entire surface. But if you don’t have penne pasta, you can use fusilli, rigatoni, cavatappi, mostaccioli, and eliciodali. Or you can also use rice, quinoa, gnocchi, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash.
• Red Wine – If you don’t have red wine, use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.
• Parmesan Cheese – We’ve garnished this eggplant bolognese with Parmesan cheese. But you can also use grated Romano cheese or grated Asiago cheese.
• Canned Tomatoes – You can use ketchup or pasta sauce instead of canned tomatoes.
• Oregano – We’ve sprinkled oregano to add intense flavor with minty notes. But you can also sprinkle dried basil, dried thyme, or marjoram.
• Chili Flakes – You can use ground cayenne, dried peppers, paprika, habanero pepper, and Chile de Arbol powder.
• Basil – You can substitute fresh parsley or mint to get basil.
• Sugar – Sugar is added to balance out the acidity of tomatoes. But you can use light brown sugar or even a pinch of baking soda to help balance the edge of the tomatoes.

What’s The Pasta The Bobby Flay Uses For This Recipe?

Bobby Flay has used tortiglioni pasta for his eggplant bolognese recipe. It is a type of pasta that is shaped like a corkscrew. This pasta’s spiral shape helps retain the sauce and make it more flavorful.

Tortiglioni is the best choice for this recipe, but you can use any pasta for bolognese. Go for rigatoni, fettuccine, penne, or ziti. All are perfect for Italian dishes as they can hold the sauce well.

Should You Soak The Eggplant In Milk Before Cooking?

You can soak the eggplant in milk before cooking. This way, you can reduce the bitterness of the eggplant. The reason behind using milk is milk contains proteins that can help to tenderize the eggplant.

However, we have yet to soak eggplant in milk. Instead, we roast the eggplant with the bitter skin off. But we suggest washing eggplant in the milk method and seeing what happens.

Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Preparation And Cooking Time

Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Recipe Steps

Step 1- Fill a saucepan with two cups of water and add penne pasta.

Step 2- Boil the pasta over medium heat until tender.

Step 3- Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a frying pan over high heat.

Step 4- Add slices of the eggplant and roast them until they take on some color and become soft for about 5 minutes.

Step 5- Now, cook crushed garlic in a pot with two tablespoons of olive oil.

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Step 6- Add the chopped onions and carrots and cook until soft for about 5 minutes.

Step 7- Add the chopped celery, chili flakes, and oregano and cook for 30 seconds longer.

Step 8- Stir the canned tomatoes into the pot.

Step 9- Add a cup of sugar to the pot.

Step 10- Please bring it to a boil until the tomatoes begin to soften.

Step 11- Fold the roasted eggplant into the sauce.

Step 12- Stir in the wine and stir it until well combined.

Step 13- Season it with salt and pepper.

Step 14- Add the cooked pasta to the pot.

Step 15- Coat each strand of pasta with the sauce using a spatula.

Step 16- Garnish with basil sprigs.

Step 17- Freshly grate parmesan cheese and serve.

Tips To Make This Eggplant Bolognese Better

• The trick to perfect eggplant bolognese is roasting the eggplant first. We suggest roasting the flesh until almost caramelized and the tender and charred skin melts into the sauce.
• Other than roasting, you can bake a whole, unsliced eggplant in the oven until tender. It will lend a velvety texture to the sauce.
• Use inexpensive red wine here. Anything dry and not sweet!
• Finish this eggplant bolognese with pasta water. We have talked about this trick in almost every pasta recipe. It will help prevent your dish from becoming dry.
• If you feel your eggplant is bitter, salt it. Let it rest for a few minutes so that the excess moisture can be removed.
• Instead of slicing onions, carrots, and celery, grate them. It will release more flavor.
• You can add protein and make it more flavorful by adding streaky bacon.
• Try sun-dried tomatoes and add a fantastic amount of depth to the sauce.
• Swap parmesan cheese with crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese.
• You can make it creamy by adding pesto sauce. However, this recipe doesn’t call for any cream.

How Will This Eggplant Bolognese Look And Taste Like?

This homemade version of Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese is a delicious and hearty dish at home. We recreated it, and it turned out perfectly.

This eggplant bolognese has a rich and hearty flavor. The roasted eggplant adds a slightly sweet and earthy flavor, while the tomatoes add a tartness. The herbs and spices add depth and complexity to the taste, while grated cheese adds a gritty texture.

We were initially unsure about it, but its deep red gives us a sigh of relief. It is chunky and is hearty, succulent, and comforting.

Why Is My Eggplant Bolognese Bitter?

After investing an hour in this recipe, it hurts if it turns bitter. But have you ever wondered why it happened? We’ve jotted down a list of reasons that might make your eggplant bolognese bitter. They are:

• If you have used unripe eggplant, your recipe may turn bitter. So, look for a firm eggplant with smooth skin. Avoid eggplants with soft bruises.
• Cook eggplant until it is soft and tender. If it is cooked longer, it will be delightful.
• The recipe will turn bitter if you do not salt the eggplant before cooking. Salting eggplant before cooking helps to draw out some of the bitterness.
• If the eggplant is not seasoned correctly with herbs and spices, it will turn bitter. So, add herbs and spices to the sauce to enhance the flavor. Some good options include oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder.
• Cooking eggplant in too much oil can also make it bitter. Use a light coating of oil to cook the eggplant.

Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese Nutritional Values

Yes, this Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese is healthier than any other pasta dish as it contains low-calorie veggie eggplant and no cheese sauce. However, excessive amounts of anything can be harmful. So, before heading toward it, take a look at the table below:

Can You Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can make Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese ahead of time. We suggest storing the sauce only. For this, prepare the dressing per the recipe and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready, reheat the sauce, serve it over pasta, and top it with eggplant.

Storing eggplant will make it mushy, which might make your recipe look better. Also, let the sauce cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator, and don’t overcook the sauce, or it will dry.

How To Store Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese?

To store Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese, go through these steps:

• Refrigeration – Once you have prepared the sauce, let it cool completely. Then, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• Freezing – Transfer the tomato-based sauce to a freezer-safe container to store it for longer. Now, freeze the container for up to a month. To thaw the sauce, transfer it to the refrigerator overnight.

What To Serve With This Bobby Flay Eggplant Bolognese?

You can serve Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese as it is. But you can serve it with these pretty fabulous sides. Here are some options to consider:

• Bobby Flay Grilled Steak – Add a piece of protein and fat to your pasta dish with this grilled steak recipe. It is straightforward to make, flavorful, and juicy. Enjoy grilled steak with this bolognese recipe as a side.
• Bobby Flay Hanger Steaks – Serve hanger steaks with tasty eggplant bolognese. It’s not just delicious but also full of umami flavors. It is a famous, well-seasoned beef cut you can easily prepare at home and enjoy its emerging flavors.
• Bobby Flay Cornell Chicken – Elevate the taste of eggplant bolognese with the smoky chicken. This appetizer is perfect for a weeknight meal that will surely please your taste buds.
• Bobby Flay Sweet Potato – Add this grilled sweet potato to your eggplant bolognese and enjoy this weekend. These smoky grilled potatoes taste divine with eggplant and pasta.

Other Recipes To Try

So, it was all about Bobby Flay’s eggplant bolognese. It’s a perfect low-carb and healthy dish. Also, it’s the easiest and exact Bobby Flay eggplant bolognese recipe to try at home.

Other than this, if you want to try more of Bobby Flay’s recipes, try Bobby Flay Sausage Gravy, Bobby Flay Chicken Salad, Bobby Flay Dry Rub, Bobby Flay Coleslaw, Bobby Flay Pickled Onion, and Bobby Flay Guacamole.

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Conclusion

If you are a true pasta lover, you will enjoy this creamy and tangy love affair of eggplant bolognese. If you liked this recipe, don’t forget to share your views with us in the comment section. Till then, happy eating!