EASY PASTA ALLA NORMA

Easy Pasta alla Norma image

As an Italian, it just doesn't get better than pasta and eggplant! Give this pasta alla norma a try for a perfect weeknight dinner!

Provided by Cindy Anschutz Barbieri

Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Eggplant

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 tablespoons salt
¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 small eggplant, sliced
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
2 sprigs fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 ½ teaspoons sea salt, or more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Add garlic and then eggplant and cook stirring regularly, until softened and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and thyme. Bring everything to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain well and pour hot pasta into the skillet with eggplant mixture. Toss to combine.
Garnish with basil leaves and red pepper flakes. Drizzle some olive oil on top and serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 658.2 calories, Carbohydrate 107.8 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 14.5 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 1029.7 mg, Sugar 13.7 g