Jul 13 2026
RestaurantsMama Carolla'sEggplant Puttanesca (spaghetti) Recipe

Eggplant Puttanesca (spaghetti) Recipe

Inspired by Mama Carolla's
Time45m
Serves4

sauteed eggplant and portabella mushrooms tossed with capers and black and green olives in a garlic tomato sauce with a touch of crushed red pepper, then sprinkled with parmigiano reggiano...SPICY!

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Eggplant

    Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for about 15 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse with cold water and pat dry.

  2. 2

    Slice the Mushrooms

    Clean the portabella mushrooms with a damp cloth and slice them into thick pieces.

  3. 3

    Mince the Garlic

    Peel and mince the garlic cloves finely.

  4. 4

    Chop Olives

    Chop the black and green olives into smaller pieces.

  5. 5

    Prepare Fresh Basil

    Wash and chop the fresh basil leaves.

Cooking

  1. 6

    Cook the Spaghetti

    In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. 7

    Sauté the Eggplant

    In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant cubes and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

  3. 8

    Cook the Mushrooms

    In the same skillet, add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil if needed. Add the sliced portabella mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are soft.

  4. 9

    Add Garlic and Tomatoes

    Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the mushrooms and sauté for an additional minute. Then, add the canned crushed tomatoes, capers, chopped black and green olives, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

  5. 10

    Combine Ingredients

    Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the sautéed eggplant back to the skillet and mix well.

  6. 11

    Toss with Spaghetti

    Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce.

  7. 12

    Serve

    Serve the Eggplant Puttanesca hot, garnished with freshly chopped basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

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