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Italian 30 min Easy
Pasta alla Norma
Sicilian pasta with fried aubergine and tomato.
Origin & Story
Pasta alla Norma is Sicily's iconic pasta, named after Bellini's opera 'Norma'. It celebrates the island's beloved aubergines in a rich tomato sauce.
Main Spices & Their Role
Chilli flakes
A pinch of heat in the sauce.
Black pepper
Seasons the dish.
Ingredients
- 200g pasta
- 1 aubergine, cubed
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves
- Fresh basil
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Method
- 01
Fry the aubergine cubes in olive oil until golden; set aside.
- 02
Soften garlic in the same pan, then add the tomatoes.
- 03
Simmer 15 minutes into a thick sauce, seasoning to taste.
- 04
Return the aubergine and toss with the cooked pasta.
- 05
Finish with basil and olive oil.
Veg & Vegan Alternatives
Vegetarian
Already vegetarian — traditionally topped with salted ricotta, so use a vegetarian cheese.
Vegan
Skip the ricotta topping or use a plant-based one; the sauce itself is vegan.