Rigatone with Eggplant Puree

• 1 pound Rigatoni Pasta
• 1 whole Medium Eggplant
• 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• ¼ cups Mint Leaves
• ¼ cups Toasted Pine Nuts
• ½ cups Parmesan Cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper. On the baking sheet, combine the eggplant, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Smooth the vegetables out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the eggplant is golden, about 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid (optional).

Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor. Add the torn mint leaves and the pine nuts and puree the vegetables. Transfer the pureed vegetables to the bowl with the pasta and add the parmesan. Stir to combine, adding the pasta cooking liquid (optional) 1/2 cup at a time until the pasta is saucy.

I made this without the mint and it was still great!