Baked Eggplant Casserole Recipe
As with many things in the kitchen (and in life), this eggplant casserole is the result of an accident. Unexpected factors coming together in the right place at the right time.
First, someone in a Facebook group posted a 30 minute sheetpan eggplant with tomato sauce and parmesan. Then a friend replied that he was going to be making eggplant parmigiana. There’s something pavlovian about parmigiana. I see it and have to make it.
So chicken, fresh mozzarella, and basil were added to the shopping list. I was ready. Only I didn’t account for my lack of motivation to make chicken parmigiana on a weeknight. On the night it was planned, I managed only some chicken tenders coated in panko, coconut, and peanuts. We stuffed them into pita and pulled out a mess of things from the refrigerator. Chicken tenders with hummus, cucumber, and olives. Chicken tenders with hoisin sauce and green onions. Quick and easy for a weeknight.
Unfortunately, I was still left with the desire for parmigiana, mozzarella and basil, and no chicken. Two eggplants were in the fridge, and I couldn’t remember what they had been destined to become.
My goal: eggplant parmigiana meal on a weeknight.
Tips and tricks for this recipe
Eggplant Parmesan (melanzane alla parmigiana) is traditionally made by first slicing, draining, and frying the (sometimes breaded) eggplant. The eggplant slices are then layered with tomatoes or tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan and baked.
This eggplant casserole borrows some of these elements. The eggplant is salted and drained. But instead of frying, it is brushed with olive oil and roasted in the oven while the tomato sauce comes together and the pasta cooks. When the eggplant is cooked, it is sliced into strips. No layering. Just mix everything willy-nilly in the pasta pot, turn it out into a casserole dish, and bake.
FAQs about this eggplant casserole recipe
Yes. Although much of it was relatively unattended while I was on the treadmill and showering and then cleaning up the prep dishes. It can be done while working from home, or save it for a weekend and open up a nice bottle of red wine to go along.
I’d pick an unassuming red blend or medium-bodied red. This is not the time for a big Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yes, if you are pressed for time. Salting removes the liquid from the eggplant (remember osmosis?) but it’s much more important if you are frying eggplant.
The eggplant definitely doesn’t remain as solid slices in this dish. If you hate mushy eggplant, I’d probably do a traditional parmigiana. I can’t vouch for this, but the NY Times claims to have a crunchy eggplant parmesan variation.
Yes. Although you would want to add the basil garnish only after reheating.
Yes. The most obvious component to freeze would be the tomato sauce.
Coming, I promise.
Related recipes
Make another pasta dish like: one pan vegetarian eggplant lasagna, one pot pasta with ricotta and lemon, or sausage ragu.
Or go for beans with this cheesy white bean tomato bake.
Eggplant Casserole
Ingredients
Roasted eggplant
- 2 medium eggplants
- salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Pasta
- 16 ounces dried, tubular-shaped pasta (e.g. penne, rigatoni)
Marinara sauce
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- salt and pepper to taste red pepper flakes, if desired
Assembly ingredients
- 1 cup basil, coarsely chopped plus additional for garnish
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, coarsely chopped
- 1 ounces Parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Cut the eggplant into one half inch rounds, smear with salt, and let drain in a colander for 30 minutes.2 medium eggplants, salt
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Wipe off and dry the eggplant slices. Place them on a baking sheet and brush both sides with olive oil. Bake them for about 40 minutes, flipping them over midway, until they have softened.3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Meanwhile, start a pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and return it to the pasta pot.16 ounces dried, tubular-shaped pasta (e.g. penne, rigatoni)
- In a large sauce or saute pan with a lid, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and carrot and saute until softened.3 tablespoons olive oil, divided, ½ medium onion, finely chopped, 1 carrot, finely chopped
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.2 cloves garlic, minced
- Add the tomatoes and sugar cover. Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally to break up the tomatoes.28 ounces canned whole tomatoes, ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- Add salt and pepper to taste.salt and pepper to taste
- When the eggplant is done, let it cool for a minute or two, and then slice into one half inch strips.
- Add the eggplant, tomato sauce, basil and chopped mozzarella to the pasta pot and stir to combine.8 ounces fresh mozzarella, coarsely chopped, 1 cup basil, coarsely chopped
- Turn the mixture out into a 9 by 13 inch pyrex pan or other baking dish, top with Parmesan cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the dish is bubbling and the Parmesan has browned.1 ounces Parmesan, grated
- Garnish with basil.1 cup basil, coarsely chopped
Nutrition
What’s next?
If you make this eggplant casserole, please leave a comment and rating here.
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