Best 9 Pasta Alla Norma Recipe By Tasty Recipes

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Pasta alla Norma is a classic Sicilian dish that combines the flavors of eggplant, tomato sauce, and ricotta salata cheese. The dish is believed to have originated in the city of Catania, Sicily, in the 19th century and was named after the opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini, which was being performed at the time of its creation. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish, and it is often paired with a glass of red wine.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PASTA ALLA NORMA (EGGPLANT PASTA)



Pasta alla Norma (Eggplant pasta) image

Recipe video above. This is a traditional Italian pasta dish from Sicily, usually begun by cooking eggplant on the stove in a hefty amount of oil. I prefer roasting the eggplant - less oil plus the eggplant holds its shape better, especially when you roast at a high temp to caramelise the surface!Finishing with a good amount of fresh basil is traditional but even if you don't have any, there's other alternatives to add a touch of other flavour - such as fresh thyme, or extra dried herbs in the sauce.This is an excellent and satisfyingly "meaty" vegetarian main dish that will have even card-carrying carnivores asking for seconds!

Provided by Nagi

Categories     Mains

Number Of Ingredients 15

800g / 1.6 lb eggplant (, cut into 2.5cm/1" cubes (2 medium/large ones))
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves (, finely minced)
1/2 small onion (, very finely chopped (or 2 eschallots))
1/4 cup dry white wine (, anything not too sweet or woody (Note 1))
700g / 24 oz tomato passata ((aka tomato puree, Note 2))
1/4 cup water
1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or oregano)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (, optional (for a hint of heat))
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
300g / 10 oz spaghetti or other pasta, long or short ((macaroni, rigatoni, penne, ziti, fettucini, bucatini))
1/2 cup basil leaves (, roughly chopped (Note 3))
Parmesan cheese (, grated (or ricotta salata if you have it - more traditional))

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line a tray with baking / parchment paper.
  • Toss eggplant with oil, salt and pepper. Spread on the tray and roast for 20 minutes.
  • Flip, then roast for a further 5 minutes. Cool on tray (this helps the eggplant hold its shape when tossing).
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Start cooking the pasta a couple of minutes after you start making the sauce (next section), until al dente or to your liking.
  • Heat oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 20 seconds until golden, then add onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and cooked through.
  • Increase heat to medium-high and add wine, if using. Let it simmer, scraping the base of the pan to deglaze, until the wine mostly evaporates.
  • Add tomato passata. Now pour the water into the passata bottle, screw on the lid, shake, and pour that in too (waste nothing!)
  • Add dried herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Stir in eggplant, then add cooked and drained pasta. GENTLY toss until pasta is coated in the sauce (so the eggplant doesn't turn into complete mush!).
  • Serve immediately, garnished with a good pinch of fresh basil and parmesan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 530 kcal, Carbohydrate 83 g, Protein 15 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 828 mg, Fiber 12 g, Sugar 18 g, ServingSize 1 serving

PASTA ALLA NORMA: NORMA'S PASTA



Pasta Alla Norma: Norma's Pasta image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound/450 g penne rigate pasta
4 tablespoons/5 ml, extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for deep-frying eggplant
1/2 white onion, chopped
1 (14-ounce/400 g) can peeled plum tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium-size eggplant, cubed
Fresh basil leaves, torn
Ricotta salata cheese, freshly grated

Steps:

  • Cook the penne in a pot of boiling salted water. Stir to prevent the pasta from sticking together. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce.
  • To make the sauce: In a saucepan, heat up 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Gently saute the chopped onions until tender, then add the plum tomatoes and liquid from the can. With the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into little chunks. Season the sauce with salt, and pepper, to taste. Cook the tomato sauce for a few minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
  • In another pan, heat olive oil and fry the eggplant cubes until golden.
  • Drain the eggplant cubes on a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Drain the pasta approximately 2 minutes before the 'al dente' stage and add the pasta to the saucepan. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce. Add the fried eggplant, basil leaves and sprinkle with ricotta salata. Mix the ingredients together well in the saucepan so that the pasta and the sauce are well amalgamated or combined. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a warm serving bowl or divide the pasta among warm plates and sprinkle extra ricotta salata on top and serve immediately.

PASTA ALLA NORMA RECIPE BY TASTY



Pasta Alla Norma Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: medium eggplant, kosher salt, olive oil, garlic, whole peeled tomato, red pepper flakes, whole wheat spaghetti, ricotta salata, fresh basil

Provided by Crystal Hatch

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 medium eggplant
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
¼ cup olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, smashed
56 oz whole peeled tomato, drained and roughly chopped, juices reserved
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 lb whole wheat spaghetti
½ cup ricotta salata, crumbled
1 bunch fresh basil, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Trim the ends of the eggplant, then slice into ½-inch (1 ¼ cm) thick rounds. Lay the eggplant rounds on a paper towel and season generously on both sides with salt. Let rest for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. After 10 minutes, pat the eggplant rounds with a paper towel to remove the moisture.
  • Heat a griddle pan over medium-high heat and grease with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, or your oil of choice. Grill the eggplant for about 2 minutes on each side, or until grill marks are formed. Set aside to cool, then cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the smashed garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly browned but not burnt, flipping as needed. Remove the garlic from the oil and set aside to cool, then mince.
  • To the garlic oil, add the chopped tomatoes. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until caramelized. Add the reserved tomato juice and simmer until reduced to a sauce-like consistency, 5-8 minutes.
  • Add ½ teaspoon salt, the red pepper flakes, and the minced fried garlic. Stir well, reduce the heat to low, and simmer while you make the pasta.
  • In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and return to the pot.
  • Pour the tomato sauce over the hot pasta. Add the eggplant, ricotta salata, and fresh basil. Toss until well combined.
  • Serve immediately.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 461 calories, Carbohydrate 73 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 14 grams, Sugar 11 grams

PASTA ALLA NORMA



Pasta alla Norma image

Hello, I'm Tony Mantuano, and we are going to do a classic Sicilian pasta called pasta alla Norma. This pasta dish comes from Catania, on the Eastern coast of Sicily, where one of its inhabitants, Vincenzo Bellini, wrote an opera called Norma.

Provided by Tony Mantuano

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound Rigatoni pasta, bronze cut (Afeltra brand)
4 Italian eggplants
5 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
2 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled and roughly chopped
Red chili pepper, pinch
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cups tomato passato (peeled and seeded tomatoes)
1 basil leaves, small bunch, torn
Sea salt
Black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 cup Ricotta salata cheese, grated (to taste)

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta and sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes less than what the box advises. Meanwhile, cut the eggplants into a large dice. Heat a skillet to high heat, add the olive oil, then the eggplant in one layer. Season with salt and pepper and add more oil if the pan becomes too dry. Continue cooking until eggplant is lightly brown. Add the garlic, chili pepper, dried oregano and stir to keep the garlic from browning. Add tomato passato, bring sauce back to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Assemble the dish: When the sauce is finished cooking, turn off the heat and add the basil. Meanwhile, when the pasta is firm to the touch, reserve 1 cup pasta water (you will only need half). Drain the pasta and return it to the pot along with the sauce and ½ cup pasta water. Over low heat gently toss the pasta with the sauce for 2 minutes to allow it to "marry" and absorb some of the sauce. The dish is done when the pasta begins to stick to the bottom of the pot. Garnish with grated ricotta salata cheese and serve.

PASTA ALLA NORMA



Pasta alla norma image

Try this easy version of an alla norma, which uses roast aubergine instead of fried. It's then tossed with spaghetti and a rich tomato and basil sauce

Provided by Esther Clark

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 aubergines, cut into 3cm chunks
1 heaped tsp salt
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
pinch chilli flakes
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
350g spaghetti (egg-free, if needed)
small bunch basil, shredded, plus a few leaves to serve
1 heaped tbsp capers
ricotta salata or parmesan, finely grated, to serve (optional)

Steps:

  • Toss the aubergines with the salt, then tip into a colander set over a bowl for 30 mins, to extract any moisture.
  • Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a casserole dish or saucepan. Tip in the onion and a pinch of salt, and cook over a low heat for 10 mins. Add the garlic and chilli, and cook for 1 min. Tip in the tomatoes and sugar, and bring to the simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
  • Pat the aubergine dry with kitchen paper, then toss with the remaining oil. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 mins until softened and golden around the edges. Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack instructions, reserving 100ml of the cooking water.
  • Stir the aubergine into the sauce with the basil and capers. Season to taste, then toss the spaghetti in the pan with the sauce and a splash of the pasta water. Divide between four bowls and top with the ricotta and extra basil, if using.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 517 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 79 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 15 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 15 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium

PASTA ALLA NORMA



Pasta Alla Norma image

Provided by Regina Schrambling

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, side dish

Time 1h15m

Yield Four to six servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 pounds of Italian eggplants (see note)
Kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large cloves garlic, peeled but not chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried rigatoni, preferably imported Italian
15 large sprigs Italian parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Peel the eggplants and slice them crosswise into disks less than one-half-inch thick. Layer the slices in a bowl, sprinkling coarse kosher salt over each layer. Place a plate over the slices and place a weight on top. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse the eggplant slices well and pat them dry with paper towels. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and saute for two minutes. Add the eggplant and saute for 15 minutes, turning once or twice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then pour in one-half cup of cold water. Cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Add coarse salt to taste, then add pasta. Cook until al dente, about 9 to 12 minutes.
  • Remove the garlic from the eggplant and discard. Drain the pasta well, place it in a shallow serving bowl and pour the eggplant sauce over. Toss well. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with additional ground black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 403, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 561 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

PASTA ALLA NORMA SORTA



Pasta Alla Norma Sorta image

Say "ciao" to your new pasta alla Norma. This updated version of the Sicilian classic includes prosciutto, which is fried until golden. Its rendered fat is used to start the dish and provide a rich, nuanced flavor, and the cooked bits are used to finish it for a salty crunch. To save on time, the eggplant roasts while a quick sauce of cherry and canned tomatoes, shallots, garlic and chile comes together on the stovetop. Just before serving, the eggplant, pasta and mozzarella (in place of the traditional ricotta salata) are tossed together until melty and delicious. Some rules are worth breaking.

Provided by Colu Henry

Categories     dinner, for two, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt
10 ounces mezzi rigatoni or rigatoni
1 1/2 pounds eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Black pepper
3 ounces prosciutto, roughly chopped into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced into rings
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 fresno or serrano chile, seeded, if you like, and thinly sliced into rings
1 1/2 pounds Sun Gold, cherry or grape tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes and their juices
4 ounces fresh mozzarella, finely chopped
1 cup roughly chopped fresh herbs, such as basil and mint
Flaky salt, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a large rimmed sheet pan, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Spread everything evenly in one layer and roast until golden, 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning.
  • While the eggplant roasts, make your sauce: In a deep, 12-inch skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium. Add the prosciutto and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp and brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add the shallot, garlic and chile to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot has softened and the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to burst, pressing the tomatoes gently down with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to help them along, 5 to 7 minutes. You want some of them to collapse and some to maintain their structure. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices and season with salt and pepper. Simmer while the eggplant finishes roasting, about 15 minutes more. If the sauce appears dry, add 1/4 cup pasta water.
  • While you're making the sauce, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
  • When the eggplant is done, add it to the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Add the pasta and toss until everything is well coated with sauce, adding more pasta water if needed. Stir in the mozzarella and toss until it begins to melt.
  • Serve in the skillet or in bowls and top each portion with crispy prosciutto and fresh herbs. Season with flaky salt, if using.

EASY PASTA ALLA NORMA



Easy Pasta alla Norma image

As an Italian, it just doesn't get better than pasta and eggplant! Give this pasta alla norma a try for a perfect weeknight dinner!

Provided by Cindy Anschutz Barbieri

Categories     Fruits and Vegetables     Vegetables     Eggplant

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons salt
¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 small eggplant, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
2 sprigs fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 ½ teaspoons sea salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Add garlic and then eggplant and cook stirring regularly, until softened and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and thyme. Bring everything to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well and pour hot pasta into the skillet with eggplant mixture. Toss to combine.
  • Garnish with basil leaves and red pepper flakes. Drizzle some olive oil on top and serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 658.2 calories, Carbohydrate 107.8 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 14.5 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 1029.7 mg, Sugar 13.7 g

QUICK AND AWESOME PASTA ALLA NORMA



Quick and Awesome Pasta alla Norma image

Very quick to prepare and full of flavor. Great "just back from a long day at work but want to feel like I am on a Mediterranean holiday" recipe. Serve with a fresh salad and crusty bread.

Provided by NP

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 large eggplants
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup olive oil
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
1 large bay leaf
¼ teaspoon whole black peppercorns, or to taste
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 crushed dried red chile pepper
10 medium tomatoes, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Cut eggplants into french fry-sized strips and salt lightly.
  • Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add eggplant strips and fry until lightly browned and fully cooked through, turning from time to time, 4 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti, bay leaf, and peppercorns to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
  • Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and chile pepper and fry lightly until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft but still holding shape, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Drain pasta and immediately add to cooked tomatoes. Add fried eggplant, feta, and basil. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1079.3 calories, Carbohydrate 118.6 g, Cholesterol 50.5 mg, Fat 56.6 g, Fiber 18.9 g, Protein 29.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.8 g, Sodium 1244.6 mg, Sugar 21.4 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe tomatoes. If you can't find fresh tomatoes, you can use canned diced tomatoes, but drain them well before using.
  • If you don't have ricotta salata, you can use another hard cheese, such as Parmesan or pecorino Romano.
  • To make the pasta more flavorful, cook it in salted water.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • If you're short on time, you can use a jarred tomato sauce instead of making your own.

Conclusion:

Pasta alla Norma is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, give Pasta alla Norma a try. You won't be disappointed!

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