Pasta Alla Norma or Eggplant Pasta
Parma Alla Norma is a classic dish in the southernmost part of Italy. It can be meant as ‘Pasta as a masterpiece’. Melanzane, or eggplant, as it is commonly called, is a staple of Southern Italian cooking. Most readers would have encountered it in the most popular dish with melanzane as its star – the Eggplant Parmesan. Pasta (spaghetti or other pasta), fried eggplant, chopped basil, and shredded cheese sprinkled on it constitute the ingredients of a classic Pasta Alla Norma. I have added some other ingredients for their flavor, heat, and taste to elevate the dish. I first tasted the classic ‘Pasta Alla Norma‘ during our trip to Italy. It was as good as other famous pasta, but the eggplant being the hero in the dish, which I like, was just delicious and offered a good variation in terms of the palette to the other pasta we had during our travel. Check out these authentic recipes for Italian flavors – Italian Sausage & Orzo Soup, Pesto Pasta Salad, or Italian Chopped Salad. Whatever its origins, Pasta Alla Norma has become a signature dish of Sicilian cuisine. Its popularity spread, making it available in every trattoria across the Italian peninsula.
Bake the eggplant
Preheat the oven. While the pasta gets cooked, add the eggplant cubes to a baking tray along with olive oil, salt, and pepper flakes. Bake for 20 minutes first. Flip the cubes and bake again for 10 minutes more. Keep the baked eggplant aside. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients – crushed tomatoes, seasoning, salt, sugar, and pepper. Let the tomatoes soften and simmer for 8 minutes. Let the sauce come together. Add the baked eggplant. Gently mix it and simmer for another couple of minutes. Now, add the cooked pasta. Switch off the flame. Toss the pasta and the sauce well. Sprinkle chopped basil and cheese on top. Remove from the refrigerator; you can reheat the sauce and the pasta in the microwave for up to a minute. Mix and toss well. While serving, garnish with freshly chopped basil and shredded cheese. You can enjoy the dish as it is or pair it with some great side dishes.
Garlic Bread – Cheesy Garlic Bread is an excellent side dish that pairs with pasta. It has crunchy edges and is garlicky and cheesy. Another garlicky recipe is No-Knead Roasted Garlic Foccacia. A plain option is No-Knead Rustic White Bread Roasted/grilled Chicken – Grilled Rosemary Chicken Kebabs, Easy Grilled Chicken, and Roasted Harissa Chicken are delicious chicken mains from the grills or oven. Meat dishes – Pan-Seared Lamb Chop Recipe, Skillet pork chops, and Chili Garlic Shrimp are some sumptuous meats and seafood to pair with tomato pasta. Air fried – Salmon, Chicken & Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, and Chicken Wings (3 Ways) are quick and easy mains done in an air fryer. Roasted veggies – Roasted Lemon Pepper Zucchini and Pecan Honey Roasted Carrot will complement the rich pasta. Salad – A simple salad like Italian Chopped Salad or one with a good balsamic dressing like my Roasted Beetroot Arugula Salad With Balsamic Dressing.
More pasta recipes that you might love
One-Pot Lemon Pasta – Refreshing, delicious lemony, creamy sauce tossed with spaghetti. Chicken Parmesan Pasta – One pot dinner recipe with chicken parmesan and pasta. Creamy Spinach Pasta – A quick recipe to make creamy parmesan sauce and pair it with the goodness of spinach. Salmon Pasta in Creamy Lemon Sauce – Light and fresh lemon sauce pairs well with flaky, tender salmon and pasta. Spicy Mushroom Chicken Pasta – Pasta with mushroom and chicken in a rich garlicky tomato sauce is creamy and has a perfect hint of spice. Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta – Butternut Squash, onion, garlic, and herbs are roasted and blended to make a creamy pasta sauce. Top with crunchy breadcrumbs. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – Ranch seasoning and bacon add flavors to another creamy and cheesy sauce.
