Rigatoni with Grilled Swordfish and Eggplant is a bold and satisfying pasta dish that combines smoky grilled flavors with the hearty textures of Mediterranean cooking. Perfect for late summer or early fall, this recipe brings together meaty swordfish, charred eggplant, and robust tomato sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni.
Swordfish is a great choice for grilling, it’s firm, mild, and holds up well to high heat. Grilled until lightly charred and sliced into bite-sized pieces, it adds a savory, slightly smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the rest of the ingredients.
Eggplant, grilled or roasted until tender and golden, adds a soft, silky contrast. Its natural sweetness enhances the dish, especially when combined with garlic, onions, and a simple tomato sauce or even a light cherry tomato sauté. You can also finish the sauce with a splash of white wine or a pinch of chili flakes for extra depth.
Rigatoni is ideal here, its ridges catch the sauce and bits of fish and eggplant, making every bite flavorful and well-textured. Once tossed together, finish the pasta with chopped parsley, a drizzle of good olive oil, and a dusting of grated pecorino or Parmesan.
This dish feels rustic yet elegant and is perfect for dinner parties or family meals. Serve it with crusty bread and a glass of dry Italian white wine like Vermentino or Fiano.
Rigatoni with Grilled Swordfish and Eggplant is more than a pasta, it’s a Mediterranean experience on a plate, full of heart, flavor, and seasonal goodness.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound swordfish cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 eggplant large, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- parsley chopped, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add swordfish and eggplant to the bowl and toss to coat with the marinade.
- Thread swordfish and eggplant onto skewers. Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the swordfish is cooked through and the eggplant is tender.
- Remove the skewers from the grill and let them cool slightly. Remove the swordfish and eggplant from the skewers and chop into smaller pieces.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Add the chopped swordfish and eggplant to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
- Serve the rigatoni with grilled swordfish and eggplant topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Nutrition
I didn’t like the eggplant. It was mushy. Can I use zucchini instead?
It was okay, but I think I overcooked the swordfish. Next time I’ll watch the grill more closely.
Sorry to hear about the swordfish! Maybe try using a timer next time? It’ll help you keep track better!
Overcooked? Swordfish is hard to get right. I usually just eyeball it and it’s fine, but next time I’ll watch out too!
YUM! I didn’t have rigatoni so I used spaghetti and it was still delish! 🐟🍝
Spaghetti is a good sub! Don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Just enjoy your meal! 😄
I don’t know about that. Rigatoni is shaped to hold the sauce better. Was it really as good? 🤔
I thought it was a little bland. Even with all the spices, it needed more salt, I think.
I agree! I think more salt would make a big difference. Maybe try adding some olives or capers next time for flavor too!
Ew, swordfish? Who eats that? Just use chicken next time, much simpler!
Swordfish is delicious! You just need to learn to appreciate it. Chicken is so boring compared to this!
I dunno, swordfish sounds fancy but I’d rather stick to chicken. It’s safe and everyone likes it. Why use fish?
Disappointed. The oil made it too greasy for my taste. Maybe less oil next time?
I get what you mean! Sometimes less is more. I’ll try using less oil next time too.
This recipe was amazing! The flavors came together perfectly. Will make it again!
Why do you grill the eggplant? Just fry it instead, tastes way better!
Absolutely delicious! The swordfish was so tender and the flavors were on point.
It’s just okay. I don’t really like eggplant. Can I substitute with something else?
You can try zucchini instead of eggplant. It might be better for you!
Eggplant is key to the recipe, so idk if it would taste the same. But good luck! 😅
I tried this recipe and it turned out all wrong. The swordfish was dry! What did I do wrong??
Eh…
Not bad, but I think it could use some lemon juice. Just sayin’.
Thought I’d try something new, but my kids didn’t like it… guess sticking with basics for them.
Swordfish? What even is that? Stick to what they like!
Maybe try mac n cheese next time? Kids love that!
1 pound pasta is a lot for 1 pound swordfish, so I felt it was pasta-heavy. Still tasty, just next time I’ll bump the fish/veg.
Hmmm, not my favorite. The eggplant was mushy and I didn’t like the texture with the pasta.
Rigatoni? Yeah right! I used spaghetti. Who cares? Still tastey! Just a tip though, watch the garlic or it gets strong.
I had problems grilling the swordfish, it fell apart! What did I do wrong? 🙁
It sounds like you might have overcooked the swordfish or not used enough oil to keep it from sticking. Giving it a good marinade helps, too! Don’t give up on it! 🙂
Rigatoni is not my thing, but my wife loved it. I suggest using penne instead.
Okay, I actually modified it a bit. Used shrimp instead of swordfish. Still yummy! 🦐👌
Shrimp sounds great! I bet it adds a nice flavor. Good call! 🦐
I don’t know about shrimp. Swordfish has its own taste. Hope it’s still good tho.
I’m not a fan of fish, but the pasta was still good. I just left out the swordfish.
Fish is gross. Why put it in pasta anyway? Sounds like a weird combo.
Glad you enjoyed the pasta! Substituting is a great idea if you’re not a fish person.
Made this last night and it was a total hit—sweet, smoky eggplant with the tender swordfish. I used a little extra parmesan and it tasted restaurant-level.
So glad you liked it! The sweet/smoky eggplant combo is the best part, and extra parmesan is always the move 😄
Made it with what I had (frozen swordfish, smaller eggplant cubes). Still turned out good. The 4-5 mins per side was a little fast for my grill though.
Yummy! Makes a great summer dish. Easy to prepare! 🍝
Totally agree! It’s perfect for hot days and super easy. Love it! 🍽️
Not sure about grilling time. 4-5 minutes a side sounds short for me—mine was kinda overcooked. Still ate it, but next time I’ll start checking earlier or do thinner cubes.
I didn’t have swordfish, so I used chicken instead. It was still really good but not the same.
It was good, but I think the eggplant made it kinda mushy. Next time I’ll leave it out. Just my personal taste, though.
I get what you mean! Eggplant can get mushy if overcooked. Maybe try zucchini next time? It stays firmer and has a nice taste too!
I had a lot of trouble grilling the swordfish. It just fell apart on the skewer.
Sounds like you overcooked it. Swordfish is super delicate! Just a suggestion.
Grilling swordfish can be tricky! Maybe try using a fish basket or foil next time to keep it together? Good luck!
Hmmm, who thought pasta and swordfish was a good idea? Doesn’t sound right.
This actually sounds kinda good! I love trying weird recipes, and swordfish is yummy! 😋
I know right? Swordfish in pasta sounds strange! But hey, people are wild with their combos these days. 🤷♂️
I followed the steps exactly and it turned out bland to me. I think I under-salted the marinade. Could be my salt brand though?
Heaven! This was delicious. Perfect summer dish. Thanks!
This recipe is fantastic! I love the combination of swordfish and eggplant. The flavors really come together. Will definitely make this again!
I totally agree! The flavors in this dish are just out of this world. Swordfish and eggplant really hit the spot!
Not sure about swordfish, I always thought it was too fishy. Eggplant is great though! Maybe I’ll try it without the swordfish.
I feel like it needs something more. Maybe some lemon or capers?
Not bad, but the eggplant was mushy. Might try without it next time.
Eggplant mushy? That’s just how it is! Maybe try squash instead, tastes better!
I totally get what you mean! I had the same issue with the eggplant once. Maybe try salting it before cooking to get rid of some moisture?
I’ll give it props: simple ingredients, and the grill method actually makes it feel fancy. I used oregano/basil sparingly and it was perfect.
This recipe was a total hit at our dinner party! The flavors melded together so well. Will definitely make again!
I dunno, I think swordfish is too fishy for my taste. Would it work with chicken instead?
You could use chicken! It will be different, but hey, it’s your meal. Just make sure to marinate it well too! 😋
So good! My family loved it. I didn’t have eggplant, so I used zucchini instead and it turned out fantastic!
This recipe is fantastic! The flavors blend so well together. My family loved it!
Sounds good, but grilled fish with pasta? I dunno. I thought it was a weird combo. How did it turn out?
I’m so glad to hear you loved it! This recipe really does bring all those flavors together beautifully. Will definitely make it again!
Super easy to follow and the pasta was perfectly cooked. My family loved it! Thanks!
Looks good, but I’m not sure about the swordfish. Is it really that easy? It seems like a lot of steps.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been looking for a recipe that my family would love too. Thanks for sharing!
This was AMAZING! The flavors were top-notch. Definitely making it again soon!
Yummy! Made it last night and didn’t have leftovers. Gotta try again on the weekend!
Looks good, but isn’t swordfish kinda expensive? I usually just stick with chicken or tuna. What do you think?
That’s awesome! I love the combination of swordfish and eggplant. I might try adding some lemon next time, it could brighten it up!
I substituted zucchini for eggplant because I’m not a fan of eggplant. Still turned out okay, but I think it would be better with the original ingredients.
I liked the idea a lot, but my swordfish kept sticking to the skewers. Maybe I should oil them better. Flavor was still good though—eggplant was tender and not mushy.
Good call on oiling the skewers—also try soaking them (if they’re wood) and make sure the cubes are fairly dry before tossing. I’ve found the eggplant especially can stick if it’s a little wet.
I’m skeptical about grilling swordfish cubes that long without drying them out. I’d probably marinate longer and grill more gently.
I didn’t have swordfish so I used salmon. Still good, but obviously not the same vibe. Also my rigatoni stuck a bit even though I drained it.
Salmon makes sense! Swordfish is more firm/meaty, so the vibe changes a bit, but grilled salmon + eggplant still sounds delicious. I bet your sauce/garlic flavors carried it.
I was skeptical about this recipe at first, but it surprisingly came out delicious. I used chicken instead of swordfish, and it still worked wonders!
Delicious! Made it for my family and everyone loved it. Even my picky eater son finished his plate!
I tried this but my fish didn’t grill well. It was too dry. Maybe I overcooked it? 😕
I messed up and used penne instead of rigatoni. Still turned out yummy though!
Ew, swordfish? I thought we were supposed to eat healthier fish??
Tried this last weekend and my whole family went back for seconds. Parmesan on top is mandatory. 🔥
Right?! Parmesan really makes it pop. Glad your family loved it 🔥
eewww eggplant. no thanks. who puts that in pasta??
Eggplant is so underrated! It’s the perfect texture for pasta. You should give it a try!
This was a hit! Made it for friends and they were impressed. I added some lemon juice!
This is one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made! The flavors are amazing! Will definitely make it again!
The flavor combo is great, but I overcooked my swordfish trying to get the eggplant tender. Next time I’ll pull the swordfish earlier and keep it warm.
Took me ages to make, I forgot half the stuff and my swordfish burned! But it was still edible.
Sounds like you had quite the adventure in the kitchen! At least it was edible, right? 😂 Cooking is all about learning from mistakes! Next time you’ll get it perfect!
OMG I can’t even… this is the best meal I’ve made and I’m no chef! So easy too!
Rigatoni + fish = happy dinner! Makes me feel fancy without the fuss.
This combo does sound fancy! Can’t wait to try it. Just hope the fish doesn’t overpower the pasta!
Eh, I don’t think eggplant belongs in pasta. Ruined it for me. Also, who wants to grill fish? Too much work.
I don’t know, this seems weird. Pasta and fish? Kinda skeptical about how this will taste.
Very easy to follow, I added zucchini too! Will def make again.
Zucchini sounds great! I might try that too! 😊
My grill caught on fire halfway through cooking, so that was fun… Not sure if I can blame the recipe or my grill skills.
Yikes! Fire on the grill is never fun! Maybe give it another try with a little more caution. Hope the food turned out good despite that! 🌟
Haha, sounds like a wild cookout! But for real, maybe just double-check the grill next time? It’s not the recipe’s fault lol.
5 stars for the yumminess! I’ve never had swordfish before, but I’m hooked after this! Even my kids loved it.
Delicious! I never used to like grilled fish but this recipe changed my mind. Thanks!
Absolutely delicious! The swordfish was so tender and the eggplant added a great flavor. Will definitely make this again.
I don’t know… swordfish seems weird for pasta. Might stick with shrimp instead.
Totally agree! This dish is a winner in my house now. Can’t wait to try it again!
LOL it’s just pasta and fish! But hey, it’s alright.
Rigatoni + swordfish + eggplant? Sounds a bit “works on paper,” but honestly it was kinda bland for me until I added more salt and a squeeze of lemon.
Hmm “bland” makes me think the marinade didn’t have enough salt. Also swordfish can be mild—lemon/acid is a good call.
Totally agree. I made it once and it felt kinda flat—more salt + a little lemon at the end fixed it right up.
Can you cook this with normal fish? What is swordfish anyway? Sounds fancy.
Not bad! Needs a little more salt, though. And how do you grill eggplant without it falling through?
It was ok. Cooking instructions were confusing. What do you mean by medium heat? 🤷♂️
Not bad, but I think it needs more acidity. Like a squeeze of lemon or a splash of white wine would make it pop.
Too spicy for me! I guess I used too much red pepper. Whoops!
So easy, so tasty! I added some extra cheese. YUM!
Just tried it and, woah! So awesome!! My husband was like, ‘can you make this every week?’
I dunno about this. Swordfish is expensive, maybe just use tuna instead? Who needs fancy fish? Haha.
Spaghetti is better than rigatoni. Fight me.
This is the best thing ever lol. Also, grill marks on eggplant are everything. I would marry this meal.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about grilling swordfish so fast (4-5 min/side). But it actually worked—mine stayed juicy.
Too much garlic for my taste. Next time, I’ll use less.
Garlic makes everything better! Maybe try just 2 cloves next time?
I thought this recipe was kinda weird. Eggplant and fish? Not sure about that…
I thought it sounded strange too, but I gave it a try and it was amazing! The flavors really work together.
Eggplant and fish? Sounds like a bad combo, not sure I’ll be trying this recipe.
The garlic + red pepper step in the skillet is genius. It kinda brings everything together without needing a heavy sauce.
I’m not sure about the garlic step—if you sauté it too long it can get bitter. Also, do you add any liquid or just toss dry? Might stick.
Right?! That sautéed garlic + red pepper move is the best part—way more flavorful than dumping in a jar sauce. The oil kinda glosses the rigatoni.
Too much garlic for my taste. Think I will use less next time!
One question: is it supposed to be 1 pound swordfish AND 1 pound eggplant? Seems like a lot for one pound pasta, unless you really love eggplant.
That is a LOT of swordfish/eggplant for one pound of pasta… I’d probably cut the eggplant down to like 1/2 lb unless you’re obsessed with it lol. Otherwise it’s more like a seafood-and-veg bowl than pasta.
I think it *is* 1 lb swordfish AND 1 lb eggplant—honestly that sounds about right for 1 lb rigatoni if you want it hearty. The sauce part is more “olive oil/garlic” than tomato, so the veg/meat carry it.
Simple and delicious! My family loved it! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my favorites too! 😄
What a unique combination! I never thought of grilling eggplant with swordfish. Absolutely loved it!
This dish is amazing! The flavors were so well balanced and the swordfish was cooked perfectly. Definitely a keeper!
Soo good!!! I never grilled fish before but it turned out perfectly!
I left out the red pepper flakes by mistake, but it still turned out nice!
Too complicated for me! I like simple pasta. This one has too many steps! Just boil pasta and add cheese for me.
I get it! Sometimes simple is best. But you might be missing out on some great flavors! Just sayin’.
I tried this recipe once and it was way too hard for me too! Gotta keep it simple, like buttered noodles. That’s my jam!
Eggplant took longer than expected on my grill. I ended up finishing it in the oven and it was fine—just more work than I planned.
Kinda confused by step 6 though—why add more garlic after grilling? But I guess it’s flavor layering. I ended up with garlic overload 😅
Totally get the confusion! I think Step 6 is just to wake up the aromatics—fresh minced garlic hits different than the grilled marinade. If you went garlic-heavy, that’s on-brand though 😅
This sounds like a really nice summer plate. I love swordfish + eggplant together—seems like the flavors would actually balance well.
Eggplant on skewers is always a little messy. Also, do you salt the eggplant first or not? Mine got kinda bitter—maybe I didn’t cook it enough.
This sounds fancy but it’s actually pretty simple. Only thing: the directions don’t say how many skewers—mine kept slipping on the rack.
Tried this last night—super flavorful. The oregano/basil/pepper flakes combo makes the fish taste like it’s from a fancy seafood place. I did a little extra parmesan and it was perfect.