Spicy Pasta alla Norma with Sausage
This Spicy Pasta alla Norma with Sausage from former culinary staffer Grant Melton makes for a quick, weeknight-friendly pasta with a kick.
MORE:
Pasta alla Norma with Sausage
Roasted Eggplant and Roasted Garlic Pasta alla Norma
Penne alla Senese
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 large eggplant, diced (about 3 cups)
- 1 Fresno pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Italian chili paste (optional) or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound pasta (I prefer cavatappi)
- A bunch of basil
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Place the sausage into a mixing bowl. Add the wine and mix it into the meat with your hands; set aside.
Heat a large Dutch oven over high heat with the olive oil. Once hot, add half of the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally until brown. Season with salt and remove to a plate. Add additional oil, if needed, along with the remaining eggplant. Brown and remove.
While the sauce is cooking, bring a few quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook to al dente.
Remove the basil from the sauce, add the pasta and toss to coat. Spoon into bowls and top with fresh basil and some parmesan cheese.