Pasta Alla Norma

Ingredients

For Seasoned Oil

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder

For Pasta

• 2 cups (16 ounces) marinara sauce
• 2 medium eggplants (about 2 ¼ pounds total)
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt, more to taste
• 8 ounces rigatoni, ziti or spaghetti
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil, plus a handful of basil leaves or torn leaves for garnish
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¾ cup (1.5 ounces) finely grated ricotta salata and/or Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. If making your own marinara: Cook the sauce per instructions. If it’s done cooking before you’re ready to assemble, cover the pot and keep it warm over very low heat. If you’re using store-bought marinara, warm it in a pot over medium-low heat while you cook the pasta.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F with racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. 
3. Use a vegetable peeler to shave off long alternating strips of eggplant peel. Then slice the eggplants into ½-inch thick rounds, discarding the end pieces. Cut rounds into 1 inch squares.
4. Place the eggplant on the lined baking sheets. Brush the rounds with seasoned olive oil on both sides. Roast until deeply golden and tender, about 35 to 45 minutes, flipping after 20 minutes. Set aside.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining (about ½ cup should be plenty), then return the pasta to the pot.
6. When the eggplant is done and the marinara is finished cooking (or warmed through, if using store-bought), gently stir the roasted eggplant into the sauce. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil, fresh basil, red pepper flakes (skip if you don’t like spice, or load it up if you do). Crush the dried oregano between your fingers as you drop it in.
7. Add the pasta to the sauce with a couple tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water, and gently stir it in. Add about two-thirds of the cheese, reserving the rest for garnish. Season to taste with additional salt (I usually add ¼ teaspoon more) and black pepper. You can add a bit more of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen up the sauce, if desired.