pasta alla norma (plus beans and lentils)

Name: pasta alla norma (plus beans and lentils)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 40 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 cloves minced garlic; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 250g cans peeled plum tomatoes (with juices); 1-1.5 tbsp amore sun-dried tomato paste (or use regular tomato paste); 0.25 tsp (each) salt &; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1.5 tbsp dried basil; 2 tbsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 40g grated cheddar; 2 medium aubergines; 3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 can cannellini beans (or mushrooms); 1/2 can green lentils; 20 cherry tomatoes; 180g dry pasta; ¼ teaspoon fine salt, more to taste; ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste (optional); 1/2 teaspoon pepper to taste; 1 tbsp natural yogurt; handful salad leaves; 3 tsp grated parmesan

8 steps

Prep:40minCook:3h

Updated at: Sat, 16 Mar 2024 20:47:44 GMT

Ingredients

6 servings

Instructions

Step 1

Cook garlic on low-med heat in olive oil for 30-60 seconds. Stir constantly to stop garlic from burning.

Step 2

pour canned tomatoes with juices in with the garlic. Add tomato paste, basil, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix ingredients together, partially cover with lid – but not completely, and simmer on low heat for 3+ hours. Stir every so often to avoid burning, you may need to add a splash of water every so often to stop it drying out. you can add a parmesan rind in this step and let it simmer with the sauce to release its flavour until finished. Remove and discard rind when ready to serve. (it will go a bit squishy but should still be intact)

Step 3

preheat oven to gas mark 7 and line 1-2 trays with greaseproof paper

Step 4

wash and chop aubergine into circles and then into quarters. Brush the rounds with olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle the aubergine with the salt and plenty of pepper. Roast until golden and tender, about 35 to 45 minutes, flipping after 20 minutes. Set aside.

Step 5

cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package directions

Step 6

wash and pour in the beans and lentils into a separate pan with a drizzle of olive oil and cook on a medium heat for a few minutes. add in some cherry tomatoes sliced in half, add the herbs and spices to taste.

Step 7

add the roasted aubergine, bean mix and drained pasta to the sauce and heat for a few minutes

Step 8

Season with additional salt & black pepper if needed and serve by itself or with some yogurt, cheese and salad