It’s no secret that we LOVE spaghetti here at Dinnerplanner.com! But, if you want an awesome and easy to prepare vegetarian pasta sauce without the ground beef, try this amazing spaghetti made with eggplant. Also called “Spaghetti Alla Norma” this spaghetti sauce is sure to become one of your favorite healthy pastas!
Spaghetti with Eggplant or also called “Spaghetti Alla Norma” is an Italian comfort food said to have originated in Sicily. It tastes delicious and is a fantastic vegetarian option, great for family night, or entertaining alike.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients Needed for Spaghetti with Eggplant
- Your favorite spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Medium eggplant
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Dried oregano
- Marinara sauce, jarred or homemade
- Fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
How To Easily Make Spaghetti Sauce with Eggplant
Step 1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. When finished cooking, drain in a colander and set aside.
Step 2. Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
Step 3. Add chopped eggplant, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant becomes golden and tender, approximately 6-8 minutes.
Step 4. Add in the oregano, marinara, and fresh basil. Allow the sauce to simmer until slightly thickened, approximately 6-8 minutes.
Step 5. Remove from heat and stir in cooked spaghetti. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 6. Serve with spaghetti and sauce with parmesan and a little fresh basil.
Try this delicious spaghetti sauce made with eggplant for a vegetarian feast
- 16 oz. spaghetti cooked according to package directions
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium eggplant peeled and diced
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups marinara sauce jarred or homemade
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped (save a small amount for garnish)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
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Cook spaghetti according to package directions. When finished cooking, drain pasta in a colander and set aside. You can rinse slightly with cold water to prevent sticking.
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Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
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Add eggplant, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant becomes golden and tender, approximately 6-8 minutes.
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Add oregano, marinara, and fresh basil. Allow the sauce to simmer until slightly thickened, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cooked spaghetti. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
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Serve with parmesan and a little fresh basil.
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Enjoy!
What to Serve with Spaghetti with Eggplant Sauce
Crunchy Garlic Bread – A classic! Crispy, buttery garlic bread pairs perfectly with pasta and helps to soak up the sauce.
Fresh Caesar Salad – The crispness of romaine lettuce with a tangy Caesar dressing adds freshness to balance the richness of the spaghetti.
Caprese Salad – Made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze, this light and fresh side dish brings a nice contrast to the heaviness of the pasta.
What Type of Spaghetti to Buy for This Pasta Sauce Recipe?
We love using a thin spaghetti for this most of our pasta recipe as it lets the taste of the sauce shine through! Buy a decent pasta made in Italy if you can find it or a good organic brand.
Pasta is One of Our Favorite “comfort” Foods!
Pasta is comforting and familiar – There’s something about the warm, satisfying nature of spaghetti that makes it feel like home. It’s simple yet hearty, which makes it perfect for a cozy meal. For many, spaghetti is a dish they grew up with. It reminds people of family dinners, gatherings, and those comforting meals shared with loved ones.
Super Quick , Easy and AFFORDABLE – It’s relatively simple to make, and you can cook it up quickly with just a few ingredients. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, spaghetti always delivers. Pasta is an inexpensive ingredient, and when paired with a simple tomato sauce or olive oil, it’s easy to create a filling and budget-friendly meal. The carbs in pasta provide a sense of fullness and energy, which is why it’s so comforting after a long day or a busy week.
Why We Love Eggplant!
Health Benefits
Eggplants are low in calories, high in fiber, and rich in antioxidants, such as niacin, which is found in the skin and has been shown to have protective effects for the brain. Eggplant also provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
Meaty Texture for Plant-Based Dishes
Eggplant is often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes. Their hearty texture can mimic the richness of meat, making them ideal for plant-based recipes like eggplant Parmesan, moussaka, or even vegan “steaks.” That’s why we love substituting egg plant for ground beef in this spaghetti recipe or also called “Spaghetti Alla Norma.”
You will love some of our other awesome spaghetti – pasta recipes:
Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Ragu Sauce
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
Rigatoni al Forno
