Baked Italian Chicken and Tomato Basil Eggplant Roll Pasta

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound angel hair pasta
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 2 large eggplants, cut lengthwise into 8 slices
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• salt + pepper, to taste
• 1 pound lean ground chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes or sub 1 (14 ounce) can san marzano tomatoes
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup fresh mixed Italian herbs
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
• fresh parsley + basil, for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Boil the pasta, drain and add to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Add the pesto + 1 tablespoons olive oil and toss well to combine and then evenly coat the pasta.
4. Meanwhile, season the eggplant with salt and pepper.
5. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat.
6. Working in batches, cook the eggplant until light golden, 2 minutes on each side.
7. Transfer the eggplant to a paper-towel-lined plate.
8. Heat the same skillet over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil.
9. Add the ground chicken and the garlic and begin breaking up the meat.
10. Cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 5 minutes.
11. Add the cherry tomatoes and tomato paste, give everything a good stir and cook 3-5 minutes.
12. Slowly pour in the red wine and milk.
13. Season with salt + pepper.
14. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer, simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
15. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh herbs, crushed red peppers flakes + parmesan.
16. Allow to cool slightly.
17. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
18. Spoon about 1/3 of the chicken mixture over the pasta.
19. Grab the eggplant slices and place a little of the chicken mixture in the center, roll up the eggplant and nestle it into the pasta and stand up right.
20. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.
21. Depending on how large your eggplants are, you may not need all of the slices.
22. Dollop the ricotta cheese, over the eggplant and then add the mozzarella.
23. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey. Garnish with fresh herbs.