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Creamy pasta made with sun-dried tomatoes, cheese and eggplant is the final word consolation meal!
Impressed by pasta alla Norma, the basic Sicilian dish, it options easy-to-find substances so you may make it in underneath half-hour!
What Makes Solar-Dried Tomatoes So Particular?
Solar-dried tomatoes from Italy are prized for his or her wealthy and strong flavour.
Whether or not you’re procuring the meals markets of Florence or stress-free over aperitivo within the “heel of the boot” in Puglia, you’re positive to note their fantastic flavour.
Why are they so particular? Throughout my time exploring southern delicacies in Salento, Puglia, Puglia, I realized that their superior style is because of a number of elements together with:
- Particular sorts of tomato used (San Marzano and Roma).
- Heat days and funky nights of the Mediterranean local weather contributes to the event of sugars and flavours within the tomatoes.
- Centuries-old conventional strategies of cultivation, hand-picking and drying slowly within the open air permits the pure sweetness and umami of the tomatoes to accentuate.
- No synthetic components or preservatives.
All of which provides as much as the distinctive style of sun-dried tomatoes from Italy! A jar of solar dried tomatoes packed in extra-virgin olive oil is one in every of my favorite purchases in Italy or at residence.
So, I’m at all times looking out for recipes utilizing sun-dried tomatoes. And Pasta alla Norma — an eggplant and pasta dish we found on a visit to Sicily — is the right dish to showcase the daring flavour of sun-dried tomatoes.
Whereas this dish takes its inspiration from the unique which hails from the province of Catania, it options a couple of easy swaps and easier-to-find substances.
This implies you will get this dish on the desk in underneath half-hour slightly than hand-milling tomatoes and simmering sauce for a full afternoon.
However you’ll nonetheless get loads of fabulous flavour.
Leap to:
Why You’ll Love This Solar-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe
- Satisfying, Hearty, and Filling. This recipe fills the stomach with out meat!
- Creamy Pasta Recipe. You’ll adore it as a vegetarian predominant dish or it may be a facet dish for meals.
- Vegetarian. A meatless pasta dish that’s good for vegetarians on the desk however one everybody is bound to get pleasure from.
- Child pleasant. The straightforward flavours of tomato with pasta makes an important dish the entire household will love. The greens soften into the pasta and nearly disappear making this dish nice to sneak in some veggies for the children.
- Simple to Make: From begin to end you will get this straightforward pasta recipe on the desk in underneath half-hour! It’s good for entertaining too.
Substances
Pasta with eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes is made utilizing easy, simple to search out substances.
Right here’s a have a look at the principle objects you will have. Scroll right down to the recipe card for the total checklist and portions.
- Pasta: I like to recommend utilizing penne or rigatoni for this pasta recipe. You possibly can simply swap it for different quick pastas for those who want however strive to decide on one with ridges. It really works greatest to carry the creamy sauce.
- Eggplant: Purchase your eggplant inside a pair days prior to creating this recipe. They’re comparatively perishable and take a extra bitter flavour the longer they sit.
- Solar-dried tomato: Drying tomatoes and preserving them in olive oil concentrates the candy and barely tart flavour. The umami of solar dried tomatoes provides depth to the dish that pureed tomatoes can’t do. Get the jarred or canned sundried tomatoes in oil because the recipe additionally makes use of oil from the tomatoes.
- Aromatics: Onions and garlic layer in flavour to the tomato and eggplant sauce. Use contemporary garlic for one of the best outcomes.
- Tomato paste: Because it’s concentrated tomato it provides an actual enhance to the easy sauce.
- Cream cheese: Provides a pleasant creamy texture to this simple pasta recipe. It substitutes for ricotta salata (dried, salted ricotta), usually utilized in Pasta alla Norma, A lot as with ricotta forte one other kind of ricotta in style in southern Italy ricotta salata will be troublesome to get outdoors the nation. Cream cheese supplies a wealthy, barely tangy flavour that I want over plain ricotta.
- Purple pepper flakes: Only for a bit of warmth.
- Parmigiano reggiano: Use freshly grated for those who can! It has a a lot softer texture and bolder flavour. Pre-shredded cheese is normally a bit drier because it’s extra uncovered to air.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dried sun-dried tomatoes. I actually encourage you to make use of those packed in oil but when not, dried will work. However you’ll must rehydrate them in sizzling water for one hour first.
- Swap the cream cheese. You should utilize ricotta cheese as an alternative.
- Olives. Add sliced black kalamata olives for a salty, tangy addition that works completely with the sun-dried tomatoes and eggplant.
- Add a Protein. This pasta tastes nice with cooked sliced hen breast or sauteed shrimp added to the skillet. If you wish to hold it vegetarian you possibly can add some garbanzo beans or cannellini beans.
- Swap the Parsley. Use contemporary basil as an alternative.
- Artichokes: Add drained artichokes.
How one can Make Pasta with Solar-dried Tomatoes and Eggplant
Able to get began cooking? Right here’s a have a look at the principle steps. You should definitely see the recipe card for the total recipe particulars.
This dish goes collectively shortly so begin by getting your pasta cooking in salted water proper from the start. Prepare dinner it till it’s al dente after which drain. However you should definitely save a couple of quarter cup of the pasta water.
- Sauté the onion, garlic, and eggplant in a few of the oil from the sun-dried tomates. Prepare dinner till they’re softened however not browned, about ten minutes.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and prepare dinner for 2 extra minutes.
- Add the parsley, tomato paste, cream cheese, pink chili flakes and the pasta to the skillet with the greens. Stir all collectively and prepare dinner till it’s heated by. Season the pasta with salt and pepper.
⭐️ PRO TIP: If you would like your pasta to have a bit of bit extra sauce you possibly can add the reserved pasta water at this level.
- Garnish your completed eggplant and sun-dried tomato pasta with parsley and freshly grated parmesan. Take pleasure in!
Serving Solutions
This pasta with cream cheese recipe is an effective possibility for an simple weeknight dinner. It’s meant to be a vegetarian predominant dish however it will simply work as a facet dish as properly.
Serve it with a facet of garlic bread, pure di fave (fava bean purée) or a crisp Italian-inspired salad of purslane, walnuts and pomegranate.
For a household gathering or banquet, these sardine pate toasts or mini caprese skewers make a tasty appetizer to supply company as they arrive.
Add sliced grilled hen breasts or breaded hen breasts on high of the pasta dish to make it heartier.
Or serve it up alongside roasted hen as a facet dish. Take pleasure in it with a Vodka, Campari and Orange Cocktail.
How one can Retailer Leftover Pasta
Retailer leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for as much as three days. You possibly can reheat leftovers within the microwave or in a skillet on high of the range.
If it appears a bit of dry you possibly can add a bit extra moisture to loosen it up a bit. I don’t advocate freezing it.
Knowledgeable Suggestions
- Hold the Oil From the Tomatoes. In case you use sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, save the flavourful olive oil. It’s a implausible base for sauteeing greens or utilizing in salad dressings.
- Prepare dinner Your Pasta Al Dente. This implies it ought to have a tiny little bit of a “chew” after cooking. You don’t need to overcook it to the purpose that it’s too delicate. Additionally, it would prepare dinner barely extra when added to the sauce.
- Serve Instantly. This pasta recipe undoubtedly tastes greatest when served immediately!
Extra Scrumptious Pasta Recipes to Strive
Recipe FAQs
Solar-dried tomatoes can be found in jars filled with oil or truly dried. In case you use the tomatoes in oil they’re already hydrated so there’s no want for this additional step. However if you’re utilizing the dried model you’ll want to rehydrate them earlier than including to pasta as they’re fairly chewy.
The jars or cans are normally shelf-stable till they’re opened. When you open the jar you’ll want to retailer any leftovers within the fridge. The opened jar ought to last as long as six months.
Extra Simple Dinner Recipes
Love this recipe? Please go away a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟score within the recipe card beneath & a remark additional down for those who REALLY prefer it. Thanks!
Creamy Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes and Eggplant
Creamy pasta made with sun-dried tomatoes, cheese and eggplant is the final word consolation meal! Impressed by pasta alla Norma, the basic Sicilian dish, it options simple to search out substances so you may make it in underneath half-hour!
Servings: 4
Energy: 237kcal
Value: $7
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Directions
Boil pasta in a big pot with salted water till al dente. Take away ¼ cup of the cooking water and drain the remaining.
Warmth a non-stick skillet with 4 tablespoons of the sundried tomato oil over medium warmth. Sauté onion, garlic and eggplant till softened however not browned. Prepare dinner for 10 minutes (till eggplant is tender). Now add the sliced sundried tomato. Prepare dinner for two minutes.
Add parsley, tomato paste, cream cheese, pink chili flakes and the pasta. Stir all collectively. In case you want extra sauce, add the ¼ cup of cooking water or you possibly can go away like this. Prepare dinner till heated by. Alter salt and pepper.
Garnish with parsley and freshly grated parmesan.
Serve instantly. Take pleasure in!
Notes
- Hold the Oil From the Tomatoes. In case you use sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, save the flavourful olive oil. It’s a implausible base for sauteeing greens or utilizing in salad dressings.
- Prepare dinner Your Pasta Al Dente. This implies it ought to have a tiny little bit of a “chew” after cooking. You don’t need to overcook it to the purpose that it’s too delicate. Additionally, it would prepare dinner barely extra when added to the sauce.
- Serve Instantly. This pasta recipe undoubtedly tastes greatest when served immediately!
Diet
Energy: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 8g | Fats: 1g | Saturated Fats: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the closest tropical seashore), Michele Peterson is the founding father of A Style for Journey. Her award-winning journey and meals writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Supply, Nationwide Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ different publications.
Learn extra about Michele Peterson.
