Roasted Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipe

Indulge in a burst of Mediterranean flavors with our Roasted Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipe, where tender eggplant meets al dente pasta in a delightful fusion. Perfect for a picnic or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is sure to become a new family favorite!

Roasted Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipe

Picnics and covered dish suppers are a fun part of early fall. When families and friends gather and share foods they’ve brought, I almost always enjoy one extra-special something. Maybe it’s a creamy, cheesy mac ‘n’ cheese or a perfectly seasoned vegetable or even an exotic fruit salad. You almost never attend a cookout without a pasta salad. This simple side dish has become very much a staple at such gatherings. There are many different kinds of pasta salad including creamy and vinaigrette (Like Asparagus Pasta Salad). My aunt Sandy makes a Mediterranean pasta salad that is perfect to take to outdoor events, since it is not mayonnaise-based. I also enjoy using the freshest vegetables that I can find at my local farmer’s market.

That is why I came up with this sweet and tangy pasta salad is quite versatile since you can add or substitute almost any of the basic ingredients, making it a thrifty choice when you can purchase those ingredients on sale. Add cucumbers and cherry tomatoes or grilled zucchini and squash. Substitute feta for the mozzarella cheese. Add black or green olives or mushrooms. Taylor this pasta salad to your family’s tastes. I love to use the roasted eggplant in this pasta salad when the vegetable is plentiful and inexpensive. The vinaigrette is basic and easy to assemble with many of the ingredients already in your pantry. So, start there and create your own perfect pasta salad.

Roasted Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
3 small eggplant, skinned and cubed
½ c. olive oil
½ c. vinegar
½ c. sugar
1 t. dried parsley flakes
½ t. dry mustard
1 t. dried basil
½ t. dried oregano
1 ½ t. salt
¼ t. ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
7-8 c. hot cooked pasta (elbow, spiral, penne, your choice)
1 red pepper, chopped
¾ c. chopped pepperoni
4 oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
2 T. fresh chopped parsley

Toss cubed eggplant with 1-2 t. olive oil and ½ t. salt. Spread evenly on broiler pan rack and bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil and next 9 ingredients until well combined. Pour vinaigrette over hot pasta, hot eggplant, red pepper, and pepperoni and stir well. Refrigerate 2-3 hours. Toss with mozzarella cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

This is also a great Eggplant recipe it is Baked Eggplant Recipe

Also try these salad recipes

Healthy Prawn Salad Recipe with Herb Vinaigrette
Spring Spinach Salad Recipe
Weight Watchers BLT Pasta Salad Recipe