This Pasta Alla Norma Is The Perfect Healthy Meal For A Busy Lifestyle.

Pasta alla norma is the easy pasta recipe you need. This quick, cheap, & incredibly delicious pasta ticks all the right boxes with it being healthy, fresh & wholesome. Traditionally the eggplant is fried in a pan with olives which takes a long time, but with this method, we roast it in the oven, which requires minimal effort & time. Follow the easy recipe & instructions to create the dish you’ve been missing.

Pasta Alla Norma

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 801kcal
Servings: 3 People

Ingredients

  • 450 g Penne
  • 2 Eggplants (Aubergine) Diced
  • 45 ml Olive Oil
  • 3 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 400 g Diced Tomatoes Canned
  • 1.5 g Dried Oregano
  • 20 g Fresh Basil Picked
  • Salt & Pepper To Taste
  • Ricotta Salata To Serve
  • Fresh Basil Garnish

Method

  • Preheat oven to 220°C (430°F).
  • Dice the eggplant into medium-sized pieces, and place it into a bowl along with half of the olive oil and seasoning to taste.
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place down the seasoned eggplant. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, mixing it around halfway.
  • Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Generously season with sea salt flakes and cook the pasta as per the packet instructions.
  • Place a large pan onto the stovetop over medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil and garlic, and sauté for 1 minute or until just starting to brown. Add the diced tomatoes, oregano, basil stems, and season to taste. Mix to combine and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 12 minutes.
  • By this stage, the eggplant can be removed from the oven, transferred into the sauce, and mixed well until fully combined.
  • Add the al dente pasta along with ½ cup (125ml) of pasta water, and add the basil leaves. Mix well and remove from the heat. Add enough of the pasta water until you reach the desired consistency — you may want more or less.
  • Serve in bowls and grate over some ricotta salata cheese, or use plain ricotta or parmesan. Garnish with extra fresh basil and cracked black pepper. Dig in.
Chef's Tips
Roast the eggplant until properly golden and tender, not just softened — this is what gives the sauce its depth, since underdone eggplant will taste bland and slightly bitter.
Let the tomato sauce simmer the full 12 minutes — this cooks out the raw tomato flavour and gives it time to reduce before the eggplant and pasta go in.
Add the pasta water gradually rather than all at once — it's easier to loosen the sauce a little at a time than to fix one that's gone too thin.
Storage & Reheating
Will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, or in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
Serving 600gCalories 801kcalCarbohydrates 142gProtein 24.8gFat 17.1gSaturated Fat 2.5gPolyunsaturated Fat 2.75gMonounsaturated Fat 10.37gSodium 222.7mgPotassium 1501mgFiber 19.2gSugar 20.9gVitamin A 165.67IUVitamin C 26.7mgCalcium 135.4mgIron 7.1mg

The above nutrition guide is based on daily averages and is calculated for a single portion. 

Recipe Notes

Pasta Alla Norma Storage Instructions

This pasta will last up to 4 days in the fridge and the freezer for up to 6 months, both stored in an airtight container

Pasta Alla Norma Reheating Instructions

To reheat, place the pasta in a pan over medium-high heat and mix gently until hot throughout. You can add a splash of water, canned tomato or vegetable stock to refresh the sauce if needed. Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta in a microwave in bursts until hot. 

Watch How To Make The Recipe

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