Eggplant Involtini is a delicious Italian-inspired dish featuring tender eggplant slices stuffed with a rich ricotta cheese filling, then baked in marinara sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or a main course for a comforting, flavorful meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Cheesy Filling: The mixture of ricotta, parmesan, and fresh basil adds creaminess and depth of flavor.
- Savory and Healthy: Eggplant provides a satisfying base while keeping the dish light and low-carb.
- Perfectly Baked: The combination of marinara sauce and melted mozzarella creates a deliciously savory topping.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggplants
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Eggplant
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices. You should have about 10-12 slices, depending on the size of your eggplants.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil, egg, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Rolls
- Spread a spoonful of the cheese mixture onto each eggplant slice.
- Roll up each slice tightly, securing the filling inside, and place the rolled eggplants seam side down in a baking dish.
Step 4: Bake the Involtini
- Pour marinara sauce over the eggplant rolls, ensuring they are well covered.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve hot, and enjoy this deliciously comforting dish!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Tips:
- Slicing the eggplant thinly is important for easy rolling, but not too thin as they may break during the process.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle some extra parmesan cheese over the top before baking.
- Serve alongside a fresh salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
This Eggplant Involtini is the ultimate comfort food—rich, cheesy, and bursting with flavor. It’s a great way to enjoy eggplant in a fun, creative way that’s perfect for any occasion!
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Eggplant Involtini
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A delicious Italian-inspired dish, Eggplant Involtini features tender eggplant slices filled with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, smothered in marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or a main course, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 eggplants
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices.
- In a bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, basil, egg, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Spread a spoonful of the cheese mixture on each eggplant slice and roll it up tightly.
- Arrange the rolled eggplant slices in a baking dish, seam side down.
- Pour marinara sauce over the rolls and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can make the ricotta filling ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to assemble the dish.
- For a healthier version, you can bake or grill the eggplant slices before rolling them, instead of frying them.
- If you prefer a bit more flavor, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or garlic powder into the ricotta filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes