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Piccante Aubergine Sauce

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 28 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

This piccante aubergine sauce is a rich, smoky addition to any vegan spread. By roasting the aubergine and mushrooms alongside a whole head of garlic, you create a deep, savoury base that carries the heat of the chilli paste beautifully. The slow-roasting process ensures the vegetables are incredibly tender, resulting in a luxurious texture that sits somewhere between a chunky dip and a smooth vegetable pesto.

Ideal for those who enjoy bold Mediterranean flavours, this versatile sauce works perfectly as a topping for toasted sourdough or stirred through your favourite pasta. It is a brilliant make-ahead option for weekend entertaining, as the flavours continue to develop and meld if stored in the fridge for a few days before serving.

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Ingredients for Piccante Aubergine Sauce

  • 1 small globe aubergine, halved lengthwise

  • 2 tablespoons plus 120ml olive oil

  • 110g button mushrooms, trimmed

  • 1 small head of garlic, plus 1/2 small garlic clove, finely chopped

  • 60ml tomato sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Calabrian chilli paste or 1 fresh Fresno chilli, chopped

How to make Piccante Aubergine Sauce

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Preheat oven to 218°C. Lightly score aubergine flesh with the tip of a knife. Place skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt. Toss mushrooms and head of garlic with 1 tablespoon oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Cover tightly with foil. Roast vegetables on both sheets until very tender, 30–35 minutes. Let cool.

Scoop aubergine flesh from skin; discard skin. Chop aubergine and mushrooms until a coarse purée forms. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins; chop until mashed. Transfer both purées to a small bowl and mix in tomato sauce, chilli paste, chopped fresh garlic, and remaining 120ml oil; season with salt.

Serve with bread for dipping.

Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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