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© Royalty-Free/Masterfile
2 to 3 hot Italian sausages
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 small fennel bulb, or 2 celery stalks, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
796-mL can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth, or bouillon
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, or 1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp hot-red-chili-flakes, optional
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups small uncooked pasta, such as macaroni
1/2 cup grated parmesan, or crumbled feta
Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Remove sausages from casings and crumble. Heat oil in a large oven-safe saucepan or pot. Add sausages, onion and garlic and sauté, stirring often, over medium heat for 10 minutes. Stir in eggplant. Sprinkle with sugar. Stir often for 5 minutes. Add fennel, red pepper, tomatoes, including juice, chicken broth and seasonings. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta.
Bake, covered, in 350F (180C) oven for 15 minutes. Stir. Continue baking until pasta is cooked, 15 to 20 more minutes. Stir in cheese. Add more basil, if needed.
Calories 238, Protein 11.3g, Carbohydrates 35.7g, Fat 6.4g, Fibre 6.1g.
The flavours meld well in this hearty yet very sophisticated-tasting casserole. It's a truly scrumptious way to get your veggies and vitamin C.