Pasta Alla Norma
A staple of Mediterranean cuisine, this Sicilian pasta is the perfect healthy and quick mid-week dinner! A touch of chilli heat, aromatic basil, and pecorino cheese subtly complement this delightful pasta bowl. The best part – this lush sauce comes together in your air fryer.
A Sicilian favourite!
This Pasta Alla Norma is a air fryer friendly, 9 ingredient, budget-friendly meal that can be ready in less than 30 minutes making it a perfect family-friendly, dish for any day of the week.
A classic pasta dish that’s been enjoyed for years on the picturesque Italian islands. Pasta Alla Norma is a type of pasta dish that is commonly served in Sicily, Italy. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike. This recipe has been adapted from the original to come together with ease in your air fryer. The hands-off, low-stress cooking method is perfect for when you need to quickly throw together dinner, but still want something home made, delicious and comforting.
Pasta Alla Norma with a Twist…
Cherry tomatoes, aubergine, and cheese—all ingredients that are incredibly easy to find in any grocery store. You can make this recipe using any type of pasta you’d like, but we recommend spaghetti or tubular pasta such as rigatoni, penne, or calamarata.
Our untraditional “tray bake” style twist on the classic makes use of your air fryer, so you don’t have to stand and fuss over a pan. Using the air fryer, we’ll easily roast our veggies in minutes, turning the aubergine and tomatoes, blistered and gooey. The tomatoes and then smashed to form a hearty, unctuous sauce base. Could it be any simpler?
To enjoy this dish even more, serve it with a side of Courgette and Cheddar Soda Bread or this light Courgette Basil Salad.
For further pasta recipe ideas, check out our pasta recipe collection. Finally, if you try this recipe, let us know how it goes! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photo #theculinarycartel on Instagram so we can see what you come up with. See our Instagram recipe video here. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this gluten-free?
Sure! Just use gluten-free pasta! Enjoy!
Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely! You can either choose to use plant-based cheese instead of pecorino, or not use cheese at all. Also, make sure your pasta is vegan-friendly and not made with eggs
.Can I use a tin of cherry tomatoes?
Yes. In the winter months tinned tomatoes are a great substitute for getting summer ripe tomatoes in the heart of winter.
Air Fryer Pasta Alla Norma
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A staple of Mediterranean cuisine, this Sicilian pasta is the perfect healthy and quick mid-week dinner! A touch of chilli heat, aromatic basil, and pecorino cheese subtly complement this delightful pasta bowl. The best part – this lush sauce comes together in your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 400g aubergine
- 400g cherry tomatoes
- 400g spaghetti
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 red chilli, finely diced, or 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 10g chopped basil
- 30g pecorino (and more for serving if you wish)
- pasta water
Instructions
- Cut the aubergine into chunks and place it in a sieve, then evenly sprinkle over a generous pinch of fine sea salt to draw out any bitter juices. Place the sieve in the sink for 10 mins while you prepare the veggies and other ingredients.
- Rinse the aubergine, pat dry with a paper towel, then add it to the air fryer basket with the grill plate removed. Drizzle olive oil over the aubergine and nestle the garlic cut side down into the basket, then air fry for 5 mins at 190C.
- Add the tomatoes into the basket and set the timer to 15 more mins, keeping the temperature at 190C.
- Cook your pasta according to the packet instructions, until al dente (it will finish cooking in the warm sauce). Remember to reserve a little pasta water.
- With 5 minutes to go on the cooking time, squish the tomatoes to release the juices, then stir in the chilli. Once cooked, squeeze the garlic from its skin into the pasta sauce, then stir the sauce with a rubber spatula, breaking up any tomatoes and bits of garlic.
- Add the sauce to the hot pasta on low heat. Toss everything together with a few tablespoons of pasta water, then add the basil and pecorino.
- Divide between your plates, finish with more cheese if you wish, and serve immediately
Notes
Chef’s tip: the starchy pasta water will help bind your finished sauce to your pasta. Cook your pasta in a little less water than usual, to get a really starchy result.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Mains
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
