Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a classic Italian dish brimming with deep flavours. This traditional recipe is known for its golden-fried aubergines and rich tomato sauce. We top it all off with crumbled white cheese and fresh basil. This dish is easy to make and can be served anytime you need a quick meal.
Ingredients
|
Penne pasta
|
360 g |
|---|---|
|
Garlic cloves
|
4 |
|
Olive oil
|
1 tbsp |
|
Cherry tomatoes
|
2 cans |
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Chilli flakes
|
1 tsp |
|
Salt
|
1 tsp |
|
Granulated sugar
|
1 tsp |
|
Aubergines
|
2 |
|
Olive oil
|
|
|
Dried rosemary
|
1 tsp |
|
Apetina® Original White Cheese In Brine
|
150 g |
|
Fresh basil
|
1 pot |
Instructions
FAQ: Questions about Pasta alla Norma
Learn how to tackle our pasta alla Norma recipe. We have answered a few commonly asked questions. Read below to find out more!
What is pasta alla Norma?
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Tips: Get the perfect pasta alla Norma
We bring you a few tips for making pasta alla Norma so you can easily take part in the Italian cooking tradition.
Uniform aubergine pieces
Make sure to cut the aubergine into uniform pieces. This ensures that they are fried evenly without any pieces being under or overcooked.
Storing leftovers
Keep your pasta alla Norma fresh by storing leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4–5 days. When you are ready to eat it again, gently warm the pasta on the stove and add a little water to keep it from drying out. This way, the pasta and sauce taste as good as when you first made them.
Try our easy recipe for pasta alla Norma
Enjoy our easy recipe for pasta alla Norma. The dish is simple and built around a few simple ingredients everyone can perfect. The aubergines are fried to be tender and delicious and then mixed with a rich tomato sauce. Chilli flakes and garlic bring a touch of pungent heat, while a single teaspoon of sugar gives the sauce a tinge of sweetness. Topped with tangy white cheese and fresh basil, pasta alla Norma is a colourful dish with heart-warming flavours.
Are you looking for a few more easy pasta dishes for dinner? Try our recipe for pasta arrabbiata, spaghetti in tomato sauce, or the tasty spaghetti puttanesca.
Tender aubergines with tasty tomato sauce
The simple combination of tender aubergines and tomato sauce is also what makes pasta alla Norma so great. The aubergine is sliced into small pieces and fried in olive oil, where they caramelise and release their natural sugars. Mixed with the rich tomato sauce, the aubergine absorbs the flavours for an irresistible combination.
Discover an iconic Sicilian pasta dish
Pasta alla Norma is a true Sicilian classic, with its birthplace in Catania on the east coast of Sicily. Here, it is named after “Norma”, an opera composed by Catania’s own Vincenzo Bellini in the 1800s. The Italian writer Nino Martoglio was so impressed by the dish’s flavours that he supposedly said, “This is a true Norma!” meaning the dish was a masterpiece and tasted as good as the opera. So, why not experience an iconic Sicilian dish singing with flavour?
Perfect as a quick dinner option
Whether you are looking for an easy lunch or a quick dinner, pasta alla Norma fits the bill perfectly. The dish is made from a few simple ingredients and does not need a lot of preparation. This means you can take to the kitchen immediately when you get home from work. All you need to do is cook the sauce, aubergines, and pasta, and you have a meal that you can enjoy any time of day.
Make it your own
While the dish is traditional, there are a few things you can change up without changing the recipe completely.
Experiment with different cheeses. Try Parmesan cheese for a nutty, savoury flavour and a texture that turns nice and gooey on the pasta. Mozzarella is slightly fresher and milder in taste, and when it melts, it brings a stringy, gooey texture.
Consider adding other vegetables to the aubergines that fry well in the pan. Red pepper, courgette, and mushrooms turn nice and golden when fried, so try out the ones you find most appealing.
