Can I bake the eggplant instead of frying?
Yes — brush with olive oil and roast at 220°C for 20 min, flipping once. It's healthier and less messy. The result is slightly less crisp but still good.
Italian · dinner
Pasta alla Norma
#italian#pasta#dinner#vegetarian#chef:marco
40m
Total time
2
Servings
620
kcal
easy
Difficulty
May 18, 2026
INGREDIENTS.
2
Pasta
- 200 g rigatoni
Produce
- 1 large (~400 g) eggplant (aubergine)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 10 leaves fresh basil
Pantry
- 400 g San Marzano tomatoes, whole canned
- 100 ml olive oil
- 1 tsp fine salt
Dairy
- 60 g ricotta salata, coarsely grated
THE METHOD.
tap to check off
0/7 done
FAQ · Things people ask
About this recipe.
What if I can't find ricotta salata?
A good substitute is a firm, aged feta (not creamy). Parmesan works in a pinch but changes the profile significantly — it's nuttier and melts differently.
What pasta shape works best?
Rigatoni is traditional in Catania. Spaghetti and penne also work. Avoid fresh pasta — dried pasta holds up better against the robust sauce.
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