Description
A delicious recipe for Eggplant Involtini, featuring tender baked eggplant slices rolled around a flavorful ricotta mixture and baked in a savory tomato sauce. This Italian-inspired dish is a perfect vegetarian main course or side dish.
Ingredients
For Baked Eggplant Slices
- 2 globe eggplants, each approximately 1 to 1/2 lbs.
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Kosher Salt and Pepper
For Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup homemade ricotta cheese or full-fat store-bought ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
For Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 can diced tomatoes, 28 oz
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
As Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- To prepare eggplant: Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel eggplants and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- To make the filling: Combine ricotta, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
- To make the tomato sauce: Heat olive oil, add garlic, salt, oregano, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and basil. Cook until thickened.
- To assemble: Distribute ricotta mixture on eggplant slices, roll them, place in skillet with tomato sauce, simmer, then broil for 5 minutes.
- To finish: Sprinkle with parmesan and basil before serving.
Notes
- When shopping for eggplants, choose shorter, wider ones of similar size.
- If desired, sweat the eggplants before baking.
- Alternatively, bake in a 350°F oven if broiling is not preferred.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 306 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 381mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 51mg