Gather all the ingredients, chop, mince and cut as directed to make putting the alla norma together easier.
Heat olive oil on medium heat, add diced onions and cook for about 10 minutes making sure to stir and not burn. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Add tomato paste and cook for about two minutes, while continuing to stir. Add 2 cans of whole tomatoes, and either use hands to crush or use a potato masher.
Add bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, sugar and hot sauce. Cook for 20-25 minutes until sauce thickens.
Eggplant
While sauce is cooking chop eggplants into medium sized cubes. Heat 1 cup of olive oil in a deep skillet on medium heat. When the oil is hot add eggplants, then season with the salt, pepper flakes and black pepper making sure to stir.
Cook eggplant until it browns and softens ~20 minutes. While sauce and eggplant are cooking, cook pasta per directions on package and drain.
Brown sausage in a separate skillet and add Cajun seasoning. Add more as needed per personal preference. TIP: Always a good idea to taste your food and tweak to your liking. Add cooked sausage to sauce and let simmer until ready to add to pasta.
Baking Preparation
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 9×13 inch casserole dish with parchment paper. TIP: Though parchment paper is not necessary, it makes cleaning a whole heck of a lot easier! Cube mozzarella into small pieces
Once all the components are completed, add pasta, pasta sauce, ricotta, basil, 2/3 of mozzarella, pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes in a large pan and mix.
Place mixture into casserole dish, top with remaining mozzarella, and make sure to press cheese into pasta. Bake for 60 minutes or until you notice the yummy burnt ends of pasta on the top (see image). Cool slightly after baking and serve hot.
Last but not least, enjoy this delicious meal slightly adapted from Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings Cookbook.
Thank You,
This African