Penne alla Norma Recipe | Simple & Delicious Eggplant Pasta with Tomato Sauce

ricotta salata

🥗Healthier: feta cheese

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Feta provides a similar tangy flavor at a lower cost.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is a more budget-friendly option for sautéing.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Grana Padano offers a similar taste profile for less.

white wine

🥗Healthier: chicken broth

💰Cheaper: water with lemon juice

Chicken broth adds flavor without the cost of wine.

Cut the eggplant into thin slices, a little thicker than normal for a bite.

Chop one onion and one clove of garlic.

Heat olive oil in a skillet for frying the eggplant and for the sauce.

Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant.

Sprinkle a little salt on the garlic and onions while cooking.

Add the tomato sauce to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic, and let it simmer.

Add a pinch of chili flakes and salt to the tomato sauce.

Fry the eggplant slices in olive oil until golden brown, then remove and set aside.

Add the fried eggplant to the sauce and mix gently to avoid breaking the eggplant pieces.

Boil water in a pot for the pasta and cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the sauce with the eggplant.

Mix in a handful of grated parmesan cheese into the pasta and sauce mixture.

Serve the pasta topped with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens