How to Make an Easy, Inexpensive Eggplant and Turkey Sausage Skillet Meal (Diabetic Friendly)

This skillet meal is easy and quick to make and it's also reasonably inexpensive. The dish is a "meal in a skillet," meaning you won't need to serve much with it. A salad would be plenty. The dish features Italian turkey sausage, which keeps the flavor high but fat down, and sliced baby eggplants. Yes, you can use other types of eggplant. I like the baby eggplants because they tend to be less bitter and easier to slice. Japanese eggplant (the long, slender eggplants) also would work well. The dish includes a small amount of whole-wheat linguine, which cooks with and absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients. The skillet meal is topped with a creamy ricotta and Parmesan mixture and shredded Italian cheese. With plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole-grain pasta, the dish is great if you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy." Enjoy!

How to Make an Easy, Inexpensive Eggplant and Turkey Sausage Skillet Meal (Diabetic Friendly)

Eggplant and Turkey Sausage Skillet Meal (Diabetic Friendly) -- Serves 4+

2-3 teaspoons of canola or olive oil

1 1/2-2 cups of sliced baby eggplants (no need to peel)

1/3-1/2 cup of chopped onion

16 ounces of Italian turkey sausage (the uncooked type)

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

15-16 ounce can of diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

2 cups of water

5-6 ounces (1/3 of a 16-ounce box) of whole-wheat linguine, broken into thirds

Salt and pepper to taste

2/3 cup of low-fat ricotta cheese

1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon of dried basil

1/2 cup of shredded Italian cheese

Chopped or torn basil or oregano, optional

Heat the oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the onion and eggplant. Saute them together for 5-6 minutes or until they soften a bit. Add the turkey sausage to the pan (take it out of its casing, if it has the casing on). Saute the turkey with the vegetables for 6-10 minutes or until the turkey is mostly cooked. Sprinkle on the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir in the diced tomatoes, the tomato paste, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir in the linguine and a little salt and pepper (I use about 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt). Turn down the heat to medium-low, partially cover the pan, and let the mixture cook for 8-10 minutes or until the linguine is done to your liking and most of the water has been absorbed. While the linguine is cooking, in a small bowl mix together well the ricotta cheese, the Parmesan, cheese, and the dried basil. When the linguine is done, dollop small scoops of the cheese mixture on top of the eggplant, sausage, and pasta mixture, arranging the scoops around the pan. Sprinkle the shredded Italian cheese on top of everything in the pan. Cover the pan and let the cheeses melt a few minutes. Turn off the heat, uncover the pan, sprinkle on a bit of chopped or torn basil or oregano, and serve the meal from the skillet.

How to Make an Easy, Inexpensive Eggplant and Turkey Sausage Skillet Meal (Diabetic Friendly)