Prepare the Spaghetti: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti to al dente according to the package. Drain, saving a cup of pasta water, and set the spaghetti aside.
Sauté Eggplant: In a large skillet, heat a dash of oil over medium heat. Cook the eggplant until it’s tender and golden. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook Meat: In the same skillet, add the ground Italian sausage and bacon. Cook until the sausage is browned and the bacon is crisp. Drain excess fat if needed.
Add Aromatics: Stir in the garlic and onion, cooking until the onion is soft and translucent.
Create the Sauce: Pour the tomato sauce over the meat mixture. Stir in the cooked eggplant, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a bit of pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Incorporate Parmesan: Here’s our twist—add the grated Parmesan cheese directly into the sauce, stirring until it’s completely melted and combined. This will give your sauce a wonderfully creamy texture and rich flavor.
Combine with Pasta: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, ensuring each strand is beautifully coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your preferred consistency.
Serve Warm: Dish out the pasta into bowls, ensuring to get plenty of the sauce and toppings in each serving.