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Classic and savory Pasta alla Norma from Sicily inspired this beautiful pasta with ricotta recipe. It contains most of the same ingredients – just prepared and presented differently. Whimsical bucatini is combined with intensely-flavored slow-roasted tomatoes and eggplant then tossed with creamy ricotta and sharp pecorino. Read on to find out more!
This pasta with ricotta recipe has SICILY written all over it! But, in a different way than usual. It’s basically a twist on what is, arguably, the most famous of all Sicilian pasta dishes that is ubiquitous across the sunny Mediterranean island, Pasta alla Norma. With only three main ingredients in the sauce (eggplant, tomato and salty, crumbly ricotta salata cheese), Pasta all Norma is a favorite among Sicilians and Americans alike.
With a Twist . . .
While I love the flavors and textures of the classic pasta recipe, I wanted to create something slightly different. While the eggplant is usually fried and the tomatoes are generally sautéed and saucy in the traditional dish, I have, instead, slow-roasted them here to really concentrate and strengthen their flavor while removing most of their inherent moisture. And, I added creamy and rich whole milk ricotta cheese at the end to bring it all together, as opposed to sharper and drier ricotta salata. To round out the flavors of the pasta with ricotta dish, I folded in a healthy dose of sharp and salty Pecorino Romano cheese, which works well in so many pasta dishes.
Finally, I used one of my favorite pasta shapes of late, bucatini! Long and chunky with a hole (“buca“) down the middle, I love its texture and mouth feel and felt that it would work well with the textures in this dish. You can certainly feel free to substitute any long or short, chunky pasta as you wish, though.
Find the original pasta alla norma recipe here!
Something to Note . . .
I wanted to point out that, even though there is no meat or fish in this dish, this pasta recipe is not technically vegetarian because of the addition of the pecorino cheese. Real Pecorino Romano cheese must be made with lamb rennet paste and is, therefore, not vegetarian. However, you can easily make this this dish vegetarian-friendly by leaving out the pecorino or using a vegetarian alternative.
Ingredients
To make this Pasta with Ricotta, we will be using the following ingredients:
- Eggplant: Any eggplant variety will do well in this recipe. I have never found it necessary to salt and drain eggplant when slow-roasting it as I do in this recipe, but, if you prefer to salt your eggplant, that is completely fine.
- Tomatoes: I used grape tomatoes in this recipe as I love their year-round sweetness. However, any tomato will work really well. If you use a really large and juicy tomato, though, such as a beefsteak tomato, you will need to remove some of the pulp and seeds as there will just be too much moisture to properly roast and caramelize them for this dish. Like the eggplant, slow-roast the tomatoes for two hours to really deepen their flavor.
- Pasta: I used bucatini and I think it works really well with the textures in this dish. (Plus, it is just really fun to eat bucatini, in my opinion!) But, other long and chunky short pastas will work as well.
- Whole Milk Ricotta: Adds flavor, richness and creaminess to the dish. Feel free to use a part-skim ricotta as a substitute, but it will have a thinner and more watery texture than the whole milk variety. (NOTE: Be sure to bring the ricotta to room temperature before adding it to the pasta so that it will not bring down the temperature of the overall dish too much.)
- Pecorino Romano Cheese: Brings sharpness and saltiness – in a really, really good way!
The Aromatics . . .
- Garlic: No explanation necessary! Other than to say, chopped, minced or thinly sliced all work well – just depends on what you feel like doing! And, feel free to add more or use less based on your personal preference.
- Olive Oil: We will use olive oil in three different ways in this recipe.
- First, to coat the vegetables prior to roasting and, second, to sauté the garlic. For both of these steps, there’s no need to use your most expensive bottle.
- The third way that we will use olive oil in this recipe (and how I finish many of my recipes) is as a drizzle on the pasta at the very end of the cooking process and just before serving. For this, you want to use the really good, extra-virgin olive oil that adds a complementary flavor to the dish, be it fruity, peppery or grassy.
- Fresh Basil: The perfect complement to all the eggplant and tomatoes and adds a beautiful brightness to the overall dish!
- Salt: So, salt is a super-interesting ingredient and topic for me.
- These days, there are limitless varieties and textures of the stuff available from both the mountains and the sea all over the world. (And, I have about a dozen of those varieties right now in my pantry . . .) Believe it or not, they do vary in levels of saltiness!
- Having said this, all of the amounts of salt that I present here and in all of my recipes should be taken with a grain of you-know-what! But, seriously, the amount of salt in one’s dish is a highly personal preference. And, nothing can ruin a great dish like over-salting it.
- So, my suggestion is to salt, taste, salt, taste, etc. until you are satisfied.
- Black Pepper: Always to your taste and always freshly ground black pepper, if possible!
A complete and detailed list of ingredients with amounts and instructions is included in the recipe below.
Step-By-Step, Pro-Tips included!
Here are the main steps for how to make this Pasta with Ricotta:
- Prep and measure all ingredients. Be sure to rinse all vegetables before using.
- PRO-TIP: All vegetable cuts should basically be the same size, so that they all cook in the same amount of time. The last thing you want are some overcooked and some undercooked pieces of eggplant!
- Roast the eggplant and tomatoes on separate parchment-lined sheet pans. Be sure arrange the vegetables in a single-layer and to not overcrowd the pan. The parchment ensures a non-stick surface and also helps a ton with clean up!
- PRO-TIP: Salt the tomatoes and eggplant after they are finished roasting, not before. These vegetables are both high moisture and tend to steam in the oven if salted beforehand. As we are slow-roasting and aiming for a more caramelized and concentrated flavor of the vegetables in this dish, it is best to season them once they have been removed from the oven.
- Get the pasta water ready.
- PRO-TIP: Don’t skimp on the water! Use a large (7–8 quart) pot with 6 quarts water for 1 pound of pasta. And, bring the water to a boil before adding the salt. The water will boil a little more strongly for a second when you do so, and this will ensure that the salt is dissolved immediately. If you add the salt to the pot when the water is cold, it may just deposit on the bottom of the pot. Use 1 1/2–2 Tbsp salt, depending on which type used. (See comment in RECIPE INGREDIENTS above.)
- Sauté the garlic, then add the roasted veggies to the pan just to heat through.
- PRO-TIP: Combine the garlic and the oil in the pan at the same time, then slowly bring the temperature up. This will allow you to have more control over the garlic and help prevent it from burning, which is what generally happens when garlic is added to very hot oil.
- Cook the pasta most of the way (until about 2 minutes less than the package directions), then add it to the pan with some pasta water and the ricotta to finish cooking.
- Finish by folding in the pecorino, basil, salt and pepper. Serve it warm with additional fresh basil leaves.
More Delicious Recipes with Eggplant
If you’d like more recipes with eggplant, check these out:
- Eggplant Cutlets Milanese–an Italian-American classic!
- Roasted Baby Eggplant with Crispy Garlic and Herbs–simple, marinated eggplant are roasted with garlic
- Sicilian Eggplant Meatballs–a meatless alternative to traditional meatballs that your whole family will love
- Roasted Eggplant Caponata without Tomatoes–a twist on the classic!
Recipe Variations for this Pasta with Ricotta
I actually think that this Pasta with Ricotta recipe is pretty great as is, but there is always more than one way to make something. Here are a few ideas:
- Grill or Quick-Roast the Tomatoes and Eggplant: This will definitely shorten the cooking time of the overall dish significantly.
- Add a Protein: Italian sausage or shrimp are both great options.
- Make it Whole Grain or Gluten-Free: Just switch out the traditional pasta for a whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
- Add Some Heat!: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper when sautéing the garlic.
- Try a Different Cheese or Dairy Product: Goat cheese, crème fraîche or mascarpone are all possible substitutes, each giving a completely different flavor to the dish.
For more great summer recipes, check out Pasta Sorrentina with Fresh Mozzarella, Pasta al Pesto, Fresh Grape Tomato Pasta, Stuffed Zucchini and Sicilian Trapanese Pesto with Busiate Pasta.
What to Serve with Pasta with Ricotta
This Pasta with Ricotta is a hearty enough pasta recipe to be a Main Course for sure. But, in small portions, it can be a starter or ‘primi piatto‘.
If you are serving this as a Main Course, I suggest a light Antipasti of prosciutto di parma with melon or assorted salumi. Then, follow the meal with a light green salad with red wine vinaigrette. Dessert should be light – perhaps biscotti and coffee, mixed fruit, or lemon sorbet.
Kitchen Tools & Cookware for Pasta with Ricotta
To make this Pasta with Ricotta recipe, you will need the following:
- Cutting board with non-slip mat underneath (I use shelf liner)
- Vegetable peeler
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Multiple bowls to hold prep
- 2–4 large sheet pans
- Parchment paper
- Oven mitts
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Colander, large mesh strainer or spider for scooping out or draining pasta
- Wooden or silicon spoons, tongs
- 10″+ sauté pan or skillet
- Large serving bowl or platter and serving utensils
More Great Recipes to Try
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If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know how it went in the comments below — I love hearing from you!
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Bucatini Pasta with Ricotta, Slow-Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds eggplant, peeled, cut into 1” chunks
- 3 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in ½ lengthwise (2 ½ pounds)
- 1/3 cup olive oil, divided
- salt for pasta water (see NOTE below)
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (I used bucatini)
- 2 heaping Tbsp chopped or thinly sliced garlic
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta, at room temperature (8 ounces)
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 large handful fresh basil, stemmed and chopped or hand-torn
- salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275◦F.
- Prep all vegetables according to specifications above.
- Roast the vegetables: Arrange the cut eggplant and tomatoes in a single layer on separate parchment-lined sheet pans. Do not overcrowd the pans. (Use 2 pans for each vegetable, if necessary.) Toss the veggies lightly with about half of the olive oil, then place on a middle oven rack for 2 hours at 275◦F, stirring once about halfway through the cooking process.
- Once the vegetables are finished, remove them from the oven and sprinkle them lightly with salt. Set aside. (NOTE: The vegetables can be done several hours or up to 1 day in advance. If doing so, hold the roasted vegetables in a sealed container under refrigeration until it is time to cook the pasta.)
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, add salt, then the pasta, stirring frequently. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions, or about 2 minutes before you think it is al dente. (Be sure to reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.)
- Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, combine the garlic and remaining olive oil in a large skillet and heat on medium-high. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until just starting to brown, then add the roasted vegetables to the pan, just to heat through.
- When the pasta is ready, transfer it to the skillet along with about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water (to start) and the ricotta. Stir well to fully combine all ingredients and let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce and absorb all of those wonderful flavors! Add additional pasta water if more moisture is needed.
- When the pasta is al dente, turn off the heat, then fold in the pecorino and basil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Finish with a healthy drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
- Serve warm with additional fresh basil. Buon Appetito!
Notes
- Whether you decide to go with large or small cuts on the vegetables to be roasted, the most important thing is to keep all pieces basically the same size, so that they all cook in the same amount of time.
- Be sure to separate the eggplant and tomatoes onto different sheet pans, arrange the vegetables in a single-layer and do not overcrowd the pan.
- Salt the tomatoes and eggplant after they are finished roasting, not before, to prevent the vegetables from steaming in the oven.
- Use a large (7-8 quart) pot with 6 quarts water for 1 pound of pasta. Bring the water to a boil before adding the salt. Use 1 1/2 – 2 Tbsp salt, depending on which type used. (See comment in INGREDIENTS above.)
- Combine the garlic and the oil in the pan at the same time, then slowly bring the temperature up.
- Make sure the ricotta is room temperature before adding it to the hot pasta.
- The pasta water is key! Add it to the veggies along with the pasta and ricotta for the additional moisture needed to finish cooking the pasta.
- Don’t forget to drizzle the finished dish with some high quality extra-virgin olive oil for an additional hit of flavor and richness.
Made With A Little Bit of Love
Put the lobster for the Fra Diavolo back on ice, hold the meatballs and Sunday gravy, and slip the sausage back in the package. MANGIA WITH MICHELE is creating a paradigm shift in Italian cookery. You don’t need meaty dishes to create nutritious and delicious vitality food—you can do it with vegetable-centered cookery. You can serve your family and friends delicious, nutritious, and healthy Italian food without all the animal fat and unnecessary calories. Yes, you can create wonderful Italian dishes that are 90% vegetable-centered, even grown in your own backyard garden.
I was also very impressed with the woman behind the recipes. Michele, a former certified public accountant, is not only a great chef, coach, and teacher but also a talented amateur photographer. The pictures of the vegetables from her garden were truly arresting. I appreciate the commitment to excellence and hard work Michele puts into everything she does.
Her Bucatini Pasta with Ricotta, Slow-Roasted Eggplant, and Tomatoes is a shining example of what I’m talking about. This beautiful dish, inspired by the classic and savory Pasta alla Norma from Sicily, features many of the same ingredients but with a fresh, creative twist. I love the way Michele writes: Whimsical bucatini dances with deeply flavored slow-roasted tomatoes and eggplant, all lovingly tossed with creamy ricotta and sharp pecorino, creating a symphony of taste and texture. Her cooking is as delicious to read about as it is to eat.
What makes the recipe particularly interesting is how she captures some of that rich, hearty essence by using bucatini, a pasta that’s like spaghetti with a hollow center, and by slow-roasting the cherry tomatoes and eggplant. I made one small change to the recipe by adding some Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. The dish was served with a wonderful Vigna il Capannino Chianti that I brought back from my last trip to Italy. Made with a little bit of love, it was a hit. Needless to say, my family and friends loved it, and as they walked out the door, they asked if I could share the secret recipe. I told them to give credit to “Mangia with Michele” and shared the link.
PS–Michele has many other Italian vegetable centered recipes!
Robert, I am so deeply touch by this beautiful review. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that you so enjoyed this pasta recipe. Your words are inspiring! Grazie mille from the bottom of my heart! 🙂
I’m looking at all the eggplant and tomatoes from the garden, and wonder about freezing the veggies after roasting for future pasta dishes. Any pro tips?
Hi there! How great that you have such an abundant harvest! Great question about freezing. As for freezing AFTER roasting: for the tomatoes, you can just put them in an airtight container for up to 3 months, then use to make sauce in the future. I often freeze tomatoes 100% raw and whole. I core them and then lace them in a freezer bag to make into sauce later. If you search my site for “Sauce from Frozen Tomatoes”, you will see a recipe for this, and slo tips on freezing the tomatoes. As far as roasted eggplant, I will assume they were diced before roasting. If so, I would first flash freeze them individually on a sheet pan. Then, transfer the frozen pieces into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months in portions of 2-3 cups each (a good amount for one pound of pasta). If you do the flash freezing first, the pieces will maintain their shape and not get all clumped together. Hope this helps!
I read this recipe and decided to give it a go… The recipe was very well written, and easy to understand. Even as an experienced cook (and cookbook author), I learned some things. The only substitute I made was the pasta shape (I used mafaldine).
In the kithcen there was a wonderful aroma from the roasted vegetables, and the dish came together easily. It looked great, and tasted even better. Next time we have dinner guests I will make this wonderful dish…
So happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Greg! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Roasting those tomatoes and eggplant was a game-changer! I only had one large eggplant, so not what your recipe called for, but it only took about an hour for them to be lightly browned and tender. My tomatoes were from a neighbor, regular, but small and sweet 2 1/2 – 3” diameter. Cut into 4-6 wedges. Squeezed the juice a bit, but still a lot of water came out. I drained the pan half -way through. (Should have saved that juice!) Took a little over 2 hours. With what I was working with, I decided to only cook 8 ounces of penne. I used 1/2 cup of pasta water. I also had a little dish with about 2T. of leftover balsamic and olive oil dipping sauce sitting by the stove. I tossed that in, too. At the last minute, I remembered that I had an 8oz. ball of Burrata that I needed to use. So, instead of the ricotta, I tore half of the Burrata into pieces and spread over the top. It made 3 large servings. Oh, it was the best bowl of pasta! Couldn’t keep my hands off of those tomatoes! So good! Thank you!
I love how you made this recipe your own, Sharon, with the ingredients that you had on hand. That is what cooking is all about! SO happy that you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂
I saw this recipe on Michele’s IG feed the other day and could not stop thinking about it! I made it for dinner tonight, and it was FABULOUS! So much gorgeous flavor from the roasted eggplant and tomato, and rich and decadent from the ricotta. I didn’t have any pecorino on hand, so I used parmigiano reggiano; Still absolutely delicious. MAKE THIS DISH!
I am so, so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Laura! Thank you for your lovely comment. 🙂
Great recipe!