Sicilian-Style Pasta With Eggplant, Tomatoes, And R

Name: Sicilian-Style Pasta With Eggplant, Tomatoes, And Ricotta Salata (Pasta Alla Norma) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving; 3/4 pounds small Italian or Japanese eggplants (2 to 3 small eggplants), trimmed, split in half lengthwise, and cut into 3/8th-inch half moons (see note); Kosher salt; 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand into 1/2-inch chunks; 1 pound dry ridged, tubular pasta such as rigatoni or penne rigate; Handful fresh small basil leaves, or roughly torn large leaves; 2 ounces aged ricotta salata, finely grated (see note)

Servings: persons

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
3/4 pounds small Italian or Japanese eggplants (2 to 3 small eggplants), trimmed, split in half lengthwise, and cut into 3/8th-inch half moons (see note)
Kosher salt
3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand into 1/2-inch chunks
1 pound dry ridged, tubular pasta such as rigatoni or penne rigate
Handful fresh small basil leaves, or roughly torn large leaves
2 ounces aged ricotta salata, finely grated (see note)

1
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add as much eggplant as fits in a single layer and season with salt. Cook, shaking pan occasionally, until eggplant is well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer eggplant to a plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding olive oil as necessary, until all eggplant is browned.
2
Add any remaining olive oil and increase heat to medium-high. Heat until olive oil is shimmering. Add garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant but garlic is not browned, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until evenly incorporated and tomato paste starts to fry. Add crushed tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is thickened into a sauce-like consistency, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
3
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot.
4
Add sauce to pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to thin sauce to desired consistency. Add eggplant slices and toss to combine.
5
Serve pasta immediately, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, garnished with grated ricotta salata and torn basil leaves.

764

kcal

Calories

Fat

111

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving, 3/4 pounds small Italian or Japanese eggplants (2 to 3 small eggplants), trimmed, split in half lengthwise, and cut into 3/8th-inch half moons (see note), Kosher salt, 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon), and more.

Yes, Sicilian-Style Pasta With Eggplant, Tomatoes, And Ricotta Salata (Pasta Alla Norma) Recipe falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Sicilian-Style Pasta With Eggplant, Tomatoes, And Ricotta Salata (Pasta Alla Norma) Recipe

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions