Summer watermelon salad and pasta dishes: Get Anthony Scotto’s recipe!

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: Nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: Grana Padano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds a cheesy flavor.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers a similar flavor with a higher smoke point.

Boil water in a large pot and add salt.

Cook paccheri pasta until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.

Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving some pasta water.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

Sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add diced eggplant and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Pour in tomato sauce and stir to combine, simmer for 5 minutes.

Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

Add cooked paccheri to the skillet and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed.

Stir in fresh basil and remove from heat.

Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level:

Allergens