Pasta Alla Norma is a Sicilian recipe of pasta in marinara sauce flecked with cubes of eggplant and basil. The recipe stays naturally vegan till the very finish when it’s showered with strips of ricotta salata, a salty cheese. However you do not want cheese to gild the deliciousness of this easy but complexly flavored pasta dish. Do that recipe now or the subsequent time you want a scrumptious dinner in a rush!
Desk of Contents
What’s Pasta alla Norma?
Pasta alla Norma is a traditional Italian dish. The story goes it was named thus as a result of it was the favourite dish of Vincenzo Bellini, a Nineteenth-century Italian composer recognized for the hit opera, “Norma.”
Should you love tomato-based sauces and pasta dishes like this vegan Pasta alla Vodka, vegan Pasta Amatriciana or vegan Pasta Puttanesca, you’ll love Pasta alla Norma. It contains a easy ingredient listing of canned plum tomatoes, garlic, pink pepper flakes, basil and the star ingredient: eggplant. In case you have already made the easy tomato sauce recipe I final shared with you, you should utilize that as an alternative of constructing the sauce from scratch.
This can be a terrific recipe for anybody that does not suppose too extremely of eggplant (exhausting for this eggplant lover to consider that species exists, however I’ve heard it does!). The eggplant is cubed, then fried till golden brown in a little bit of olive oil earlier than it’s blended in with the pasta and the sauce. This makes the eggplant melt-in-the-mouth tender and the flavour it provides to the pasta is not only hearty but in addition fairly magical.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Scrumptious, simple and minimalist recipe. Pasta alla Norma is a slightly simple and easy recipe, and it wants simply seven elements. The recipe does contain a number of steps, like frying the eggplants after which making the tomato sauce, however none of it’s difficult or tough. Should you take the time to make this recipe you can be rewarded with oodles of deliciousness.
- Good for a brown-bag lunch or dinner. This pasta dish is easy sufficient to make for a tasty brown bag lunch, or make it for a pleasant dinner that everybody will take pleasure in!
- Vegan, soy-free and nut-free and might be gluten-free. You possibly can simply make the recipe gluten-free by utilizing gluten-free pasta.
Elements
Test the recipe card under for actual portions of every ingredient.
- Eggplants (aubergine/brinjal): Italian eggplants work finest on this recipe. Purchase medium-sized eggplants with a shiny, darkish pores and skin and with none brown spots or delicate spots. The eggplant, while you maintain it in your hand, ought to really feel heavy for its dimension.
- Canned plum tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes will provide you with one of the best taste, however you should utilize any plum tomatoes you’ve got in your pantry.
- Herbs: Garlic, contemporary basil and oregano. You need to use both basil or oregano, or each. I like including each for extra taste. If you do not have contemporary basil and oregano, you should utilize dried. Test recipe card for substitution portions.
- Purple pepper flakes.
- Further virgin olive oil
- Penne rigate or different tubular pasta. Ridged pasta shapes like penne rigate maintain on to the sauce higher. You need to use different small pasta shapes, together with fusilli, ziti, rigatoni, gemelli or casarecce.
Recipe FAQs
One would sometimes use smaller pasta shapes for pasta alla Norma, but when spaghetti or one other lengthy pasta is all you’ve got you should utilize that as an alternative.
Sure! If you’re quick on time, you possibly can undoubtedly make this recipe with a jar of store-bought marinara sauce (or see this recipe for a simple however superb do-it-yourself marinara sauce that you would be able to make forward and refrigerate or freeze).
Completely not. Drizzle some olive oil earlier than serving for much more deliciousness with this vegan pasta. It’s also possible to sprinkle on some vegan parmesan for a crowning contact!
Sure. You possibly can add roughly eggplant to this dish relying in your private choice. For me, about two kilos of eggplant hits the proper spot.
Storage directions
- Refrigerate: The Pasta alla Norma will maintain within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Retailer in an hermetic container.
- Freeze: Retailer the pasta in a freezer-safe container for as much as 4 months.
- Reheat: Thaw pasta if frozen and reheat within the microwave or in a saucepan till warmed by way of.
Extra scrumptious eggplant recipes
Love this Pasta alla Norma? Remember to try different vegan Italian recipes on Holy Cow Vegan!
Pasta Alla Norma Recipe
A scrumptious and simple recipe for Pasta Alla Norma, a Sicilian dish of pasta in marinara sauce flecked with cubes of eggplant and basil. Do that recipe now or the subsequent time you want a scrumptious dinner in a rush!
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Servings: 8 servings
Energy: 306kcal
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Directions
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Prepare dinner pasta in a big pot of salted water in line with bundle instructions, till al dente. Drain the pasta earlier than utilizing.
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Place the cubed eggplant in a colander positioned over a bowl. Add salt and toss the eggplant to coat. Put aside for half-hour. This may draw out a few of the moisture from the eggplant. Pat the eggplant cubes dry with paper towels or a kitchen towel.
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Warmth 2 tablespoons olive oil in a big saucepan or saute pan over medium warmth. Add the eggplant cubes and fry, stirring regularly. Do not crowd the pan. Fry in batches if needed.
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When the eggplant cubes are golden-brown and really tender, take away them to a dish lined with a paper towel.
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In the identical saucepan add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and saute till the garlic is evenly blonde. Add the crushed plum tomatoes together with ½ cup water. Combine effectively.
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Add the contemporary herbs and pink pepper flakes and blend them in. Add salt and floor black pepper to style. Let the sauce come to a boil. Decrease the warmth to a simmer and let the sauce prepare dinner quarter-hour. Test seasoning and add extra salt and pepper if wanted.
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Add the cooked pasta and the reserved eggplant cubes to the sauce. Toss to combine, then flip off warmth. Stir in a number of contemporary, torn basil leaves. Serve heat or at room temperature.
Recipe notes
- You possibly can add roughly eggplant to this dish relying in your private choice. For me, about two kilos of eggplant hits the proper spot.
- Should you miss the ricotta salata on this recipe, use some vegan parmesan as an alternative. It provides extra taste and protein.
Storage directions
- Refrigerate: The Pasta alla Norma will maintain within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Retailer in an hermetic container.
- Freeze: Retailer the pasta in a freezer-safe container for as much as 4 months.
- Reheat: Thaw pasta if frozen and reheat within the microwave or in a saucepan till warmed by way of.
Diet
Energy: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 9g | Fats: 6g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 193IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
