Whole-wheat spaghetti with roasted eggplant and mint
- Energy Kcal 449
- Carbohydrates g 57.5
- of which sugars g 7.4
- Protein g 14.6
- Fats g 17.9
- of which saturated fat g 3.19
- Fiber g 13.2
- Cholesterol mg 4
- Sodium mg 540
- Vegetarian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 50 min
- Serving: 4
PRESENTATION
Whole wheat spaghetti with roasted eggplant and mint really captures the heart of Southern Italy, you know? I mean, Mediterranean cuisine is all about those fresh, simple ingredients. This mint pasta recipe blends the deep, almost creamy flavor of roasted eggplant with the bright pop of mint and a light crunch from pine nuts—super tasty. And in Southern Italy, eggplant often stars in summer dishes. And here? It’s roasted until tender and silky, creating this sauce-like texture. Add smooth ricotta and a sprinkle of pine nuts, and you've got layers of flavor that make every bite interesting. Seriously good. Plus, the dish stays light and moist by skipping heavy sauces—letting the Mediterranean veggies and herbs shine, for sure. It's a mix of classic Italian ingredients with a modern twist, thanks to whole wheat spaghetti.
And listen, pasta night doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated. This recipe really shows that. The mint releases a fragrant aroma that pairs perfectly with the mild, almost sweet ricotta. Southern Italians love using plenty of mint and basil, but here, the mint makes this dish unique. Really, it does. With the eggplant roasted to a golden softness, healthy pasta dishes like this one are perfect for any night when you crave something simple yet special. Even those who usually prefer traditional tomato sauces will be surprised by the depth of flavor from these few ingredients.
This easy eggplant pasta is ideal when you want a Mediterranean meal that’s plant-based, light, and so so tasty. Serve it warm with an extra spoonful of ricotta or a handful of pine nuts on top. And look, this mint pasta recipe can turn a regular weeknight into something that feels more Italian and much more delicious. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a cozy evening at home, this dish offers a satisfying taste of Southern Italy’s culinary charm.
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- INGREDIENTS
- Whole wheat Spaghetti pasta 11.5 oz (320 g)
- Eggplant 1.3 lbs (600 g)
- Cow's milk ricotta cheese 1.1 oz (30 g)
- Pine nuts 2 ½ tbsp (20 g)
- Mint 8 leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Whole-wheat spaghetti with roasted eggplant and mint
To prepare the whole-wheat spaghetti with roasted eggplant and mint, first cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and score the flesh with a knife to form a crosshatch pattern, without cutting through to the skin 1. Place the eggplants on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper with the cut side facing up 2 and bake in a preheated fan (convection) oven at 410°F for 40 minutes 3.
Transfer the cooked eggplants to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap 4 and let rest for 5 minutes: the steam will make it easier to separate the flesh from the skin. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil for cooking the pasta and pour the pine nuts into a hot nonstick pan 5: toast them for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently 6, then set aside.
Scoop out the eggplant flesh with a spoon and place it in a blender 7, then add about half of the toasted pine nuts 8 and 6 mint leaves 9.
Add the oil 10, salt 11 and pepper and blend until you obtain a smooth consistency 12.
At this point the water should be boiling, so cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions 13. Pour the eggplant cream into a pan, thin it with a ladleful of the pasta cooking water 14 and warm gently. When the pasta is al dente, drain it directly into the pan and toss over medium heat to combine everything 15.
After plating, finish each plate with small dollops of ricotta 16, the remaining pine nuts 17 and a few mint leaves: your whole-wheat spaghetti with roasted eggplant and mint are ready to be served 18!