A delicious and hearty cheesy baked stuffed eggplant recipe that features eggplant filled with a savory ground beef mixture, topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
Author:Caroline Jones
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
3 large eggplants
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out part of the center to create boats. Brush with olive oil and lightly season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking tray and roast for 15 minutes until slightly tender.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until soft and golden. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Mix in tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Pour in half of the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove eggplants from the oven. Fill each eggplant generously with the meat mixture. Top with remaining marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with salad, rice, or warm bread.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or mushrooms.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the stuffing for added nutrition.
Make sure to adjust seasoning according to your taste.