This cheesy bacon mushroom stuffed eggplant is a delightful comfort food recipe that combines the rich flavors of bacon, mushrooms, and creamy cheeses, all stuffed into tender roasted eggplant halves.
Author:Caroline Jones
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
2 large eggplants, halved lengthwise
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup beef broth
4 oz cream cheese
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the eggplant halves with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 25 minutes until tender.
Scoop out some of the flesh, chop it, and set aside, leaving a sturdy shell.
In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble, leaving 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan.
Add the onion and mushrooms to the skillet and cook until softened and golden. Stir in the garlic and chopped eggplant flesh.
Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the beef broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Simmer until smooth and creamy, then mix in half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and half of the crumbled bacon.
Fill the roasted eggplant halves with the creamy meat mixture and arrange them in a baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and bacon over the top.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, then broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with garlic bread, roasted potatoes, or a fresh green salad.
Notes
For a lower-carb option, you can substitute ground turkey for beef or sausage.
Feel free to customize the vegetables in the filling based on your preference.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.