Pasta Alla Norma Recipe (Eggplant Pasta) | Trader Joe's Finds | Simple Restaurant Quality Recipe

ricotta salata

🥗Healthier: feta cheese

💰Cheaper: parmesan cheese

Feta provides a similar tangy flavor at a lower cost.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is more economical.

eggplant

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: bell peppers

Zucchini offers a similar texture and is often less expensive.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Canned tomatoes can be more affordable and still flavorful.

Turn on the heat to medium for the skillet.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet.

Slice 4 cloves of garlic using a mandolin for even slices.

Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.

Fill a large pot with water and add lots of salt to it, then start heating it for the pasta.

Open the can of eggplant with tomatoes and onions, and prepare to add it to the sauce.

Add the fresh tomatoes to the skillet, using 2 large tomatoes and 1 pint of smaller tomatoes, adjusting based on preference.

Turn the heat down to low to prevent the garlic from burning after adding the tomatoes.

Cover the skillet to let the tomatoes soften and burst, creating a sauce.

Smash the tomatoes with a spoon once they start bursting to break them down further.

Cover the skillet again to let the sauce cook down a bit, adjusting the heat between low and medium-low.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens