One of the most versatile vegetables you can find at the grocery store is an eggplant. Grill, roast, fry, sauté, you name it, eggplant can hold up to pretty much any cooking style. And did you know that there are ten different eggplant varieties? The most common type cooks use is the Globe Eggplant, also known as American Eggplant. Shaped like a large pear with dark purple skin and a meaty interior, this eggplant is easy to come by at the store. However, other interesting varieties like Japanese Eggplant and White Eggplant seem to be popping up at farmer's markets and grocery stores. More great news about eggplant: you can find this nutritious veggie year-round with peak season running from July through October. All the more reason to stock up and get in the kitchen! Check out some of the tastiest eggplant recipes below.
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25 Eggplant Recipes to Try For Yourself
1. Baba Ghanoush
With just five ingredients and naturally vegan and gluten-free, Baba Ghanoush is the perfect side dish to serve with pita bread and veggies. Who doesn't love some roasted eggplant dip?
Here's the recipe.
2. Baked Eggplant Rollatini
An Italian classic, baked eggplant rollatini is the perfect meal to serve with a side of pasta. Thinly sliced eggplant is filled with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese then rolled up and place in a skillet. Topped with marinara sauce and even more cheese, this dish is the ultimate comfort food.
Here's the recipe.
3. Ratatouille
This hearty vegetable stew made with ingredients like sautéed eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes is a meal all on its own. Other ways to serve Ratatouille are with crusty bread, fish or pasta.
Here's the recipe.
4. Crispy Eggplant Caprese Stacks
An impressive eggplant dish that is a combination of two great things: crispy eggplant and Caprese salad. Refreshing from the fresh tomatoes and basil, creaminess from the mozzarella cheese and a little indulgent from the fried eggplant, this dish makes everything better!
Here's the recipe.
5. Mediterranean Eggplant Boats
If you need a plant-based weeknight main course, look no further! Roasted eggplant halves are filled with quinoa, herbs, tahini, and garlic and topped with fresh tomato Mediterranean salsa.
Here's the recipe.
6. Eggplant Parmesan
I like to think of Eggplant Parmesan as a veggie lasagna. Layers of fried eggplant slices, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce make for an awesome Sunday dinner.
Helpful tip: sprinkle salt over eggplant slices and set on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to draw out excess moisture from the eggplant before breading and frying.
Here's the recipe.
7. Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad
If you love the flavors and ingredients in Ratatouille, try tossing in some pasta and mozzarella cheese for a complete meal. The heat from the pasta and veggies will slightly melt the cheese, making it even more creamy and decadent.
Here's the recipe.
8. Eggplant Caponata
It may look like a lot of ingredients, but you'll want to try out this Eggplant Caponata. Besides eggplant being the star of the show, ingredients like zucchini, fennel, olives, and pine nuts make up this rustic, Italian dish. Serve with crostini for a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Here's the recipe.
9. Vegan Eggplant Stir-Fry
No need to call for take out when you can simply make your own stir fry at home. Loaded with vegetables and a delicious sauce, serve this stir fry over rice or quinoa.
Here's the recipe.
10. Grilled Eggplant Salad with Chickpeas and Tomatoes
If you're new to using Japanese Eggplant, try it out with this rustic salad. Brush eggplant with olive oil and grill it for that nice, charred flavor. Toss with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and vinegar for the most delicious Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Here's the recipe.
11. Traditional Greek Moussaka
It's pretty obvious why this one of the most popular Greek dishes. Layers of eggplant, ground beef tomato meat sauce and béchamel make for a wonderful main dish to serve to the family.
Here's the recipe.
12. Eggplant Meatballs
Vegetable-based meatballs are becoming a big hit lately. They're healthy and you won't even miss the meat. The eggplant is sautéed until soft and mixes together easily with panko breadcrumbs, herbs and garlic. Serve with pasta or an even healthier option would be spiralized veggies.
13. Crisp Eggplant Chips with Smokey Seasoning
Here's a new twist on traditional potato chips. Thinly sliced eggplant is tossed with homemade smokey seasoning and then slowly roasted until crisp. Say hello to your new late-night snack!
Here's the recipe.
14. Vegan Eggplant Carnitas Tacos
These plant-based eggplant tacos will be the newest addition to taco night. Roasted and shredded eggplant mimics shredded pork and beef, so you won't even miss out on the meat.
Here's the recipe.
15. Roasted Eggplant with Tomatoes and Feta
An easy lunch or dinner, you'll love how quickly this dish comes together. Fresh from the tomatoes and creamy from the feta cheese, there's no doubt this one is a winner.
Here's the recipe.
16. Baked Eggplant Fries with Greek Tzatziki Sauce
Who says you can only make French fries with potatoes? Totally not true! Eggplant is meaty enough to make the most perfect fries. And don't skip out on that tzatziki sauce.
Here's the recipe.
17. Mini Eggplant Pizza
I must say, this idea is pretty darn genius. Eggplant slices make perfect, low-carb crusts for toppings like tomato sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni. This is how I want to get my veggie intake for the day!
Here's the recipe.
18. Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Quesadillas
If you have a bunch of vegetables in the refrigerator that you know you have to use, roast them and use as a filling for quesadillas. This is a healthy yet satisfying meal that really shows off the eggplant.
Here's the eggplant recipe.
19. Beef and Eggplant Casserole
This tomato, ground beef and eggplant casserole looks similar to eggplant Parmesan, however, you'll notice interesting flavors like cinnamon and pine nuts in the recipe. It's important to slice and salt the eggplant before use. The salt helps to draw out any moisture in the eggplant so the overall dish isn't mushy.
Here's the recipe.
20. Ravioli and Eggplant Stew
A weeknight meal is made in no time when you have this recipe on hand. Sauté eggplant in olive oil and then add in canned tomatoes and basil. For even more veggies, toss in some zucchini and serve this stew over cheese ravioli. There's no stress involved with this delicious meal!
Here's the recipe.
21. Eggplant Ragout with Creamy Polenta
When you hear the word ragout, it's natural to think of a hearty, meat-based sauce or stew. Things are a little different with this recipe. The 'meat' is made by pureeing eggplant, garlic and shallots that are then cooked in canned tomatoes. It's rich and comforting and exactly what you need on a cold night.
Finish this dish with creamy polenta, rice or your favorite pasta or noodles. Here's the recipe.
22. Easy One-Pan Eggplant Chicken Dinner
One-pan meals are a lifesaver. They're less prep and clean up is a breeze. When you're not in the mood to be spending hours in the kitchen, whip up this eggplant recipe dinner. Loaded with vegetables and chicken, this meal will be on your dinner rotation in no time.
Here's the eggplant recipe.
23. Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Burgers
If you're looking to avoid meat, grilled eggplant slices can make up for that. These burgers are packed with flavor, even picky eaters will enjoy them.
Here's the recipe.
24. Grilled Marinated Eggplant
One of my favorite things on an antipasto platter, besides the cheeses, is marinated eggplant. It's so simple to make and absolutely delicious on top of crusty bread. The marinade is commonly made with olive oil, a lot of garlic, balsamic vinegar and chilies if you like the heat.
Here's the recipe.
25. Roasted Eggplant Soup
There's something special about making soup. Sometimes it can be a long process, but there's nothing like warming up to a bowl of soup on a cold day. Roasted Eggplant Soup shows off how versatile and flavorful eggplants are.
Here's the eggplant recipe.
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