Rigatoni pasta alla Parmigiana recipe (alla Siciliana)
This rich and tasty vegetarian rigatoni pasta alla parmigiana recipe from Southern Italy is made with the same ingredients as eggplant parmigiana and tastes just as wonderful! It can be baked or eaten without baking.
Pasta alla Parmigiana
The combination of baked eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil known as eggplant parmigiana is one of Southern Italy’s most famous dishes. And, quite rightly so! It’s so delicious! Do you like it? If so, you'll love this pasta recipe!
Eggplants, Aubergine, Melanzane.
Here in Italy; Sicily, Naples and the city of Parma claim to be the birthplace of eggplant parmigiana. So, where it actually originated is the cause of much culinary wrangling! We know that the Arabs brought eggplants (also known as aubergines) to Europe in 15th century. Like tomatoes, eggplants were at first treated with suspicion. In fact, the Italian name for this vegetable, melanzane, means unhealthy apple! (mela insana)
A little alla Parmigiana history.
Many food historians believe that the word parmigiana actually comes from the Sicilian word "parmeciana", the set of wooden slats that form a window shutter. Whereas, others claim that ‘parmigiana’ derives from ‘petronciana’ a word of Persian origin, which was the name given to eggplants when they first arrived in southern Europe.
In addition, there are those who believe that the expression cooking ‘alla parmigiana’ originally meant cooking Parma style. This, they say, was a method used in the Middle Ages of preparing vegetables by layering and stuffing them. This method spread from Parma to Campania and Sicily through the centuries. And, over time, became popular in recipes made with ingredients that didn’t exist in Italy in Medieval times.
The origins of 'alla parmigiana' seem unclear. However, the first published recipe for eggplant parmigiana (as we know it) is in the 1839 Neapolitan cookbook ‘Cusina casarinola co la lengua napolitana’ by Ippolito Cavalcanti. But, early Sicilian versions weren’t made with mozzarella since this cheese was first produced in Campania and Molise. It’s most likely the Sicilians used pecorino.
Pasta plus Parmigiana
In Sicily, a similar recipe to rigatoni pasta alla parmigiana is pasta alla Norma. This is also made with fried eggplant, tomato sauce and cheese, but the cheese is usually salted ricotta (ricotta salata) and the dish is not usually baked, although it can be. In fact, some Italians refer to pasta alla parmigiana as pasta alla Siciliana because of the similarities between the two dishes. You can find recipes for both versions of pasta alla Norma here on The Pasta Project.
Different pasta alla Parmigiana recipes.
As I mentioned before, pasta alla parmigiana can be baked or served straight from the pan without baking, like in this recipe. When baked, it can either be prepared like a classic pasta al forno or as a timballo. Al forno involves just mixing the sauce with the precooked pasta and baking it in a hot oven with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top. A timballo is slightly more complicated. In this recipe, the pasta, sauce and mozzarella slices are encased in the eggplant slices and baked in a high sided loaf or cake tin. Parmigiana timballo is usually made with long ziti or zitoni pasta.
Although much has been written about the history of eggplant parmigiana, I couldn’t find the origins of when Italians started to eat parmigiana together with pasta. However, when or where ever that was, the idea was brilliant. This is a super tasty vegetarian dish that is bound to be a winner with anyone who likes the flavours of eggplant parmigiana.
Let me know what you think.
If you make this rigatoni pasta alla parmigiana recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out and if you liked it. So, please leave a comment here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Buon appetito!
Other eggplant and pasta recipes to check out here on The Pasta Project!
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Rigatoni pasta alla parmigiana
Ingredients
- 400 g rigatoni pasta (14oz) or other short pasta
- 200 g fresh mozzarella (7oz) fior di latte
- 500 g eggplant ( I used 2 large round ones) (17oz)
- 600 ml tomato passata (20 floz) or 12 cherry tomatoes and 400 ml passata
- 1 handful fresh basil chopped
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- 50 g Parmesan grated
- salt for pasta and to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the eggplant
- Cut the eggplant into thick slices and cover with sea salt in a colander. Leave them for about 30 minutes. Rinse off the salt and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- Fry the eggplant slices in hot olive oil until they are quite golden on each side. Set aside on kitchen paper to allow most of the oil to get absorbed by the paper. Then cut most of the slices into cubes/pieces, leaving one or two slices per person intact. Keep these warm.
Prepare the tomato sauce and mozzarella
- Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves (if using). Drain and cut the mozzarella into small cubes/pieces. Peel the garlic cloves.
- Heat 2-3 tablespoon olive oil in a deep frying pan or skillet. Add the garlic and cook until it starts to soften. Add the cherry tomatoes cook them for a minutes then add the passata and chopped basil. Stir well and leave to simmer for about 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Then remove the garlic.
Cook the pasta
- In the meantime, put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once it starts to boil. Bring to the boil again and add the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. When the pasta is ready, save a cup of the cooking water and drain.
Finish the dish
- If the tomato sauce seems too thick add some of the saved pasta water and stir. Add the eggplant pieces to the tomato sauce. Mix together well and then add the drained pasta. Mix again and add the mozzarella pieces. Cook for a bit over a low heat until the mozzarella starts to melt slightly.
- Put one or two whole eggplant slices onto a plate. Place a serving of the pasta on top of the eggplant slices. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of chopped basil and grated Parmesan.
Gabriela says
Thank you so much for this recipe! This is one of the many recipes from your wonderful blog that I've tried and it was amazing. I would say that this is the best pasta dish that I've ever tried, but I should wait until the next time I'll try a new recipe from you because I may have a new surprise. 🙂
Stephanie Simmons says
This dish looks delicious! I love how simple it is and how few ingredients there are - but it's still super flavorful!
Jacqui says
Thanks Stephanie! Yes this is a great recipe full of wonderful Southern Italian flavours and pretty eay to make!
Mirlene says
Always enjoy seeing your food and this pasta recipe is simply the best. I can eat pasta any day of the week.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Mirlene! I'm happy you like my pasta dishes! Yes, this recipe is fab. Wonderful Southern Italian flavours!
Karyl Henry says
I'm not personally a fan of eggplant, but I love everything else in this dish. There's not much better than melted, gooey cheese 🙂 And I can definitely see this one on my dinner table very soon.
Chef Mireille says
unhealthy apples? - what a funny name - not an eggplant fan here but would gladly make this with some zucchini instead
Adriana Lopez Martin says
The Rigatoni pasta is one of my favorites and this version is so clever and yummy. Love the addition of the eggplant adds great flavor and texture. Another amazing pasta recipe!
Michelle says
Love love love Parm cheese on everything! This looks so yummy, will have to give it a go this weekend!
Amanda says
Those little nuggets of melted cheese look so good! I can never resist a cheesy pasta. Can't wait to give this a try!
Jacqui says
I'm sure you'll love this dish Amanda! I agree that just melted mozzarella is so good!
Gloria says
You don't have to ask me twice to eat pasta for dinner. I would eat it for breakfast and lunch too. This recipe sounds delicious. Easy to make, and the leftovers would be great too. Pasta is always a winner in our house.
Jacqui says
I'm with you on pasta for breakfast Gloria! When I have leftovers of this dish, I bake them. So good!
Shernell P Cooke says
Yum !!! I love that this dish is vegetarian and from Italy. Great dish.
Jacqui says
Thanks so much Shernell! There are lots of Italian vegetarian pasta recipes but this is definitely one of my favourites!
Stine Mari says
I love eggplant, it is a perfect sub for meat in any kind of dish. And all your pasta dishes look amazing, including this one!
Jacqui says
Aww thanks so much Stine! So happy you like my recipes! Yes aubergine is a great veg. I cook it a lot, not just in pasta!
Chef and Steward says
I knew from the photo that you were in Italy, Italian, or at least European. There is a sensibility about pasta that is just glaringly different on either side of the pond. This so refreshing to see. Let's be friends. Your food ethos I can definitely live with.
Jacqui says
I'd love to be friends! Pasta has a special place in Italians' hearts and their food culture. It can be a simple quick family meal or a Michelin star work of art! The best thing is Italians nearly always use fresh, seasonal and locally grown/made produce so even the simplest dish tastes amazing!
Jere Cassidy says
This is one of my favorite blogs. I want to eat every pasta dish you make. This one stands out because of the eggplant which I love.
Jacqui says
That's such a lovely thing to say Jere! I'm thrilled you like the recipes I post. Yes the eggplant makes this dish so yummy! I love those parmigiana flavours!
Kelly Anthony says
This rigatoni pasta dish looks so fresh and delicious. I know this will be loved by everyone at our house.
Jacqui says
Thank you Kelly! I'm sure your family would love this dish. It's a favourite at my house too!
Catherine Brown says
That eggplant looks like it's cooked PERFECTLY! everything is so vibrant and fresh. I just brought my potted basil plant indoors so I can use it for a while longer... nights are getting chilly here in NH! I can't wait to make this now, although I think I'll have to use a different type of pasta, I've not seen this one.
Jacqui says
Grazie Catherine! My basil plants are now inside too. It's getting chilly at night here in Northern Italy, although the days are still quite warm. I'm sure you'll love this dish. Of course you can use other types of pasta. I'd go for pasta tubes like short ziti or penne!
Deryn says
Drooling. Love the step by step photos too, super helpful. I'm thinking this with some cashew cheese would be ammmazing.
Jacqui says
Thank you cara Deryn! So happy you find the photos helpful! I know I like seeing step by step photos when I'm searching for recipes! I've never had cashew cheese but sounds delicious!
Colleen says
This dish looks so wonderful. I love the eggplant and mozzarella, and rigatoni is one of my fave pasta shapes. Pinning to try!