Pizza, sandwiches, lasagna, oh my! Dive into these 23 healthy eggplant recipes for new and unique aubergine ideas sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling accomplished in your cooking. Don’t worry, they’re all super easy!
Cooking can be a bit tricky, and introducing a new ingredient into the mix can be even trickier! We’re looking at you, eggplant.
And it makes sense! Eggplants are just one of those foods that feel weird and confusing to cook with, especially in complex layering dishes like ratatouille or lasagna.
But the truth is, eggplant is actually simple to incorporate into your favorite recipes! To prove it to you, I made a list of 23 ways to cook eggplant. Each one is actually quite easy to make, and there are options for each and every course, including appetizers and snacking.
So, pick up an eggplant or two on your next grocery run, and let’s get to cooking!
Is eggplant healthy?
Eggplant is like the unsung hero of healthy eats. It’s low in calories and carbs, making it a great option if you’re watching your waistline or keeping an eye on your blood sugar. Plus, it’s packed with fiber that’s all about keeping your digestive system happy. And don’t even get me started on the antioxidants – eggplant’s got these awesome compounds that help your body fight off those pesky free radicals. So, whether you’re roasting it, grilling it, or turning it into a delightful dip, you’re not just enjoying its yummy flavor, but also treating your body to some wholesome goodness. Ready more about the nutrition benefits of eggplant here!
Do you need to peel eggplant?
Peeling eggplant? Well, that’s like a personal preference kind of deal. The skin on eggplant is totally edible and holds a bunch of nutrients and flavor, but sometimes it can be a tad bitter or tough, especially on the bigger ones. If you’re whipping up something quick and easy, you can totally leave it on for that extra oomph. But if you’re going for that velvety smooth texture in dishes like baba ganoush or eggplant parm, peeling might be the way to go.
What’s the best type of eggplant?
The most common type of eggplant you’ll often encounter is known as the Italian eggplant. These eggplants are characterized by their oblong shape and deep purple skin. They’re versatile and well-suited for a variety of culinary applications. Their mild flavor and tender texture make them a popular choice for dishes such as eggplant parmesan, ratatouille, and various Mediterranean and Italian recipes. While there are different eggplant varieties available, the Italian eggplant’s consistent availability and culinary adaptability have made it a staple in many cuisines.
1
Vegetable Baked Ziti
Let's kick it off with a delicious dish filled with cheesy, zesty, Vegetable Baked Ziti! This veggie-packed dish is the ziti of vegetarian dreams, as it includes sautéed zucchini, eggplant, pepper, onion, and garlic. It's a healthy comfort food that you can feel good about digging into!
2
Ratatouille (Tian Provençal)
Next up, we have a dish with a presentation so pretty that it's a must for serving to guests! Ratatouille (Tian Provençal) is a one pan dish piled high with lots of vegetables and mouth watering flavor. This dish is a modern take on the French classic, and (surprise!) only requires 15 minutes of prep time!
3
Easy Baba Ganoush
Easy Baba Ganoush is the best dish for preparing as a mid-afternoon snack, appetizer, or snacking tray for guests! This particular recipe is gluten-free and vegan, so it's perfect for all. Included with the eggplant-filled "hummus" are lots of veggies, crackers, and pita bread!
4
Vegetarian Moussaka
Vegetarian Moussaka is one of my all-time favorites for obvious reasons. First, the eggplant takes on an absolutely delicious flavor in this dish as it's paired with seasoned ground tempeh and a creamy bechamel sauce. It's a vegetarian dish perfect for using as a yummy comfort meal!
5
Eggplant Lasagna
You can simply never go wrong with an Eggplant Lasagna. This particular recipe is completely vegetable-based and made with mushrooms, basil, spinach, and lots of cheese. It's an easy recipe and doubles as a grain- and gluten-free option!
6
Easy Vegetarian Eggplant Meatballs
These eggplant meatballs are the perfect accompaniment to a large bowl of pasta (and making vegetarian meatballs means everyone can join in on a single meal!)
7
Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelet)
This weekend, enjoy something different with a Filipino Eggplant Omelet (or Tortang Talong) for brunch! This delicious omelet is made with only 5 ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes!
8
Vegetarian Lasagna
Because you can never have too many lasagna recipes, try this Vegetarian Lasagna dish next! It's made using classic authentic ingredients like vegetables, marinara, and bechamel. It only takes 15 minutes of prep time and is a satisfying, filling meal!
9
Veggie Pizza
Load up on pizza goodness with this Veggie Pizza recipe. It's made using colorful roasted veggies like eggplant, zucchini, red onion, bell pepper, and spinach. Going homemade makes pizza night 10x more fun!
10
Eggplant Bacon
Here's a fun one that I bet you hadn't thought of: Eggplant Bacon. Oh, yes. This yummy stuff takes all the flavor and crispiness of bacon and packs it into thinly sliced eggplant! It's perfect in your vegetarian breakfast spread, on BLTs, in salad or just anytime you're craving bacon!
11
Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan
Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan totally breaks from the routine while sticking to those classic parm flavors that we all love. This dish stuffs tomatoes, parsley, garlic, and mozzarella into the individual eggplant skins, which means easy serving and less mess!
12
Roasted Eggplant with Mint Sauce and Feta
Here's an interesting twist on eggplant dishes! For this recipe, we're adding some unique flavors to create Roasted Eggplant with Mint Sauce and Feta. This delicious meal is a flavorful, hand-off dish that's perfect for an easy meal option!
13
Vegetable Bolognese
Treat yourself to a heaping plate of Vegetable Bolognese made with mushrooms, tomatoes, and eggplant, topped with a yummy layer of parmesan. It’s safe to say, this dish is a treat.
14
Eggplant Parmesan Poppers
Need a quick and easy appetizer that sneaks in a few servings of veggies? Go for Eggplant Parmesan Poppers! These little bites are perfect for dipping in marinara sauce and are great for serving to guests, too!
15
Pressed Eggplant Sandwiches
And last but not least on our list of 13 ways to cook eggplant we have these delicious Pressed Eggplant Sandwiches. These sandies are filled with pesto, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, and roasted bell pepper. They're filled with Mediterranean deliciousness and are the perfect quick lunch or dinner option!
16
Crispy Sautéed Eggplant Recipe (15 Minutes)
Sautéed eggplant is the ultimate way to make this delicious staple vegetable! It’s quick, simple, and so versatile.
17
Greek Eggplant Dip (Melitzanosalata)
If you’ve never tried Melitzanosalata you’re in for a treat! This Greek Eggplant Dip uses just a handful of ingredients and makes a huge platter to share.
18
Bulgur Stuffed Eggplant
Fanci-fy your dinner with this Bulgur Stuffed Eggplant. It’s both savory and sweet, made with bulgur, raisins, and creamy Greek yogurt.
19
Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant (+ Flavor Options)
Air fryer eggplant will be your new favorite side dish. Crispy eggplant tastes fried (without all the mess and excess oil)!
20
Eggplant Coconut Curry (Aubergine Curry)
Craving Indian-inspired cuisine? Try out this easy vegetarian eggplant and coconut milk curry (aubergine curry) —ready in less than 1-hour!Serve this mouthwatering vegetable curry over a bed of warm rice and top with fresh cilantro! Follow this step-by-step recipeto create the perfect curry dish for two!
21
Thai Eggplant Green Curry (30 Minute Curry Recipe)
Flavor up your next meal with this Thai Eggplant Green Curry recipe, a flavor packed vegetarian dish. Made with Thai eggplant, bell pepper, and a delicious green curry sauce, it’s better than takeout!
22
Roasted Miso Eggplant
Miso eggplant is a wonderfully seasoned Japanese dish you can easily make at home. Savory and tangy, it’s about to be your new favorite side!
23
Korean Eggplant Tacos
For tacos with a twist, you’ll love these spicy Korean Eggplant Tacos! With Gochujang spiced eggplant and a Kimchi Mayo quick slaw, these tacos are as easy to make as they are addictive!
