Pasta Alla Siciliana with Burrata Recipe

Name: Pasta Alla Siciliana with Burrata
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces pasta (I used penne, save cooking water); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 medium eggplant (chopped); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 32 ounces diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup fresh basil (sliced); 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (more or less to taste); 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (plus extra to garnish); 8 ounces burrata cheese (divided)

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This pasta alla Siciliana with burrata is a fantastically rich, creamy, baked pasta loaded with tender eggplant, cheese, and a garlicky tomato sauce. A tasty vegetarian pasta dish straight from Sicily!

Eggplant is sauteed in olive oil, tossed with tomatoes and spices, and baked to perfection with cooked pasta. Top the dish with burrata cheese before serving for a decadent dish. This pasta is elegant – but is ready in about 45 minutes, making it a great choice for entertaining!

Want more favorite pasta dishes? Try our angel hair pomodoro pasta, spicy rigatoni Arrabbiata, or our favorite creamy pesto gnocchi!

pasta alla siciliana recipe with burrata cheese, fresh basil, and eggplant tomato sauce in a bowl.

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for the most decadent vegetarian pasta, this elegant and tasty dish has you covered! We recently made a trip to our favorite Italian neighborhoods – Boston’s North End. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Nando, and I ordered one the best pasta dishes I ever had, pasta alla Siciliana al forno. I had to make it at home!

Traditional pasta alla Siciliana is made with eggplant (similar to pasta alla norma), and uses mozzarella cheese. I wanted to make this recipe extra creamy, and used burrata instead of the mozzarella at home.

Each bite of this elegant dish is bursting with flavor! From the olive oil-soaked eggplant, to the creamy burrata, swimming in flavorful tomato basil sauce. Take your next meatless Monday up a notch and try this easy recipe today!

Why This Recipe Works

It’s bright, fresh, and earthy.
Ready in under an hour, this elegant pasta dish is great for entertaining.
The burrata adds incredible creaminess and depth of flavor.
It’s versatile – use your favorite pasta shape for this dish.
A great vegetarian and meatless meal that is satisfying and delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients for pasta siciliana with eggplant like diced tomatoes fresh basil burrata cheese, parmesan, olive oil, and salt.

Pasta – I used regular penne, but you can use any pasta you prefer. Use a gluten free version, if needed.
Eggplant – fresh eggplant is best. You can use 1 large eggplant, or two smaller ones.
Tomatoes – I used canned diced tomatoes, which I found worked well sauteed then baked. I like the sauce chunkier, so the diced tomatoes are great.
Fresh basil – gives this sauce a fantastic flavor!
Burrata cheese – Similar to fresh mozzarella, but filled with creamy, softer cheese. If you love burrata, try our caprese burrata salad, or sourdough panzanella salad and add burrata cheese!
Garlic – Fresh cloves are best!
Parmesan, I like using a vegetarian parmesan that I can shred by hand.
Extra virgin olive oil – use a really good Italian olive oil for the best flavor.
Sea salt & black pepper
Chili Flakes – I didn’t include them in the photo above, but I added chili flakes for a little extra heat!

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Additions and Substitutions

Any pasta shape works well in this dish – I like using a medium pasta like penne, but radiatori, fusili, or cavatappi would be great.
For a thinner sauce use crushed tomatoes, passata, or tomato sauce instead of the diced tomatoes.
For a spicier sauce, double the chili flakes in this recipe. For a milder sauce, you can omit them altogether.

How To Make This Pasta Dish

uncooked penne pasta being added to a pot of salted boiling water for pasta siciliana norma.

Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions. Save 1 cup of the cooking water, and drain the rest of the pasta after it’s done.

a skillet with olive oil garlic and fresh eggplant for sicilian pasta alla norma al forno recipe.

Step 2: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic and cook 2-3 minutes until it begins to lightly brown. Add the eggplant and salt, stir, and cook eggplant for 4 minutes.

eggplant cooked in a cast iron skillet with salt and olive oil until it's glistening and golden.

Step 3: Add 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and continue to cook eggplant for 8 minutes, until soft and golden.

olive oil garlic and tomatoes in a cast iron skillet to make pasta alla Siciliana al forno

Step 4: Remove the eggplant from the pan, and set aside in a bowl. To the pan, add the tomatoes.

Step 5: To the tomatoes, add the basil, oregano, and chili flakes. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes until tomatoes are soft.

sicilian pasta sauce with eggplant and tomatoes with basil and spices simmering in a pot.

Step 6: Add the eggplant back into the pan with the tomatoes, and cook until all vegetables are soft and tender, about 15 more minutes.

a baking dish with pasta, tomatoes, eggplant, and basil easy tasty vegetarian sicilian pasta sauce.

Step 7: In a 13 x 9 baking dish, add the cooked pasta and the tomato eggplant sauce. Toss well to combine and add in the parmesan cheese. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes until the sauce begins to bubble.

eggplant pasta with burrata sicilian penne recipe with basil, eggplant, and tomatoes.

Step 8: Serve the baked pasta with burrata cheese, and an extra sprinkle of parmesan and basil to garnish.

Recipe FAQs

Is pasta alla Siciliana vegetarian?

This dish does not contain meat so it’s a meatless dish, but be sure you use parmesan cheese that is not made with animal rennet for a fully vegetarian version.

Can I make pasta alla Siciliana ahead of time?

While pasta alla Siciliana is best fresh (to preserve the creaminess of the burrata), you can make elements ahead of time. Make the eggplant and tomato sauce a day or two before, then reheat and bake the pasta. Add the burrata right before serving.

Can you add protein to pasta Siciliana?

Yes, you can add grilled chicken, steak, cooked shrimp, or chickpeas for extra protein. Make sure the protein is fully cooked before adding it to the sauce in step 6.

How to make pasta alla Siciliana gluten free?

Use a gluten free pasta for this recipe, and ensure that any canned or packaged ingredients (like the tomatoes, cheese, or spices) are certified gluten free before using.

Pro Tips

Peeling the eggplant before sautéing can make it more tender. I like to leave the skin on, but either option works great for this pasta.
For a spicier pasta, drizzle a little chili oil before serving.
If you can’t find burrata, you can use fresh mozzarella or ricotta cheese instead.
Serve this tasty Sicilian eggplant pasta with caprese spinach salad, arugula apple salad, or with a side of whole wheat garlic knots!

pasta siciliana al forno with burrata cheese and eggplant (all norma) baked in the oven.

More Cozy Pasta Recipe Ideas

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