Daily Crock Pot Recipe! (Pasta with Eggplant Sauce)

[VanBurren]

I got this great recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens website:

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pasta-with-eggplant-sauce/

PASTA WITH EGGPLANT SAUCE

8 ounces bulk hot Italian sausage

1 medium eggplant

1 28 ounce can Italian-style whole peeled tomatoes in puree, cut up

8 ounces fresh cremini and/or button mushrooms, sliced

1 6 ounce can Italian-style tomato paste

1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)

1/2 cup dry red wine

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup assorted snipped fresh herbs (such as basil, oregano, thyme, and/or Italian [flat-leaf] parsley)

1/3 cup pitted Kalamata or other Italian olives, sliced

Salt and ground black pepper (optional)

6 cups hot cooked penne pasta

1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)

 

Directions

1. In a large skillet cook sausage over medium-high heat until brown. Drain off fat. If desired, peel eggplant. Cut eggplant into 1-inch pieces.

2. In a 4- to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker combine sausage, eggplant, tomatoes in puree, mushrooms, tomato paste, onion, wine, and garlic.

3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. Stir in herbs and olives. If desired, season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Serve eggplant mixture over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with cheese and, if desired, pine nuts. 

[snuggiewoogie]

 Could someone whip me a up a batch of this....  :) It looks awesome!!