Savory tomato beef stuffed eggplants are juicy, rich, hearty, and bursting with bold Mediterranean flavor in every delicious bite.
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:Mediterranean
Diet:Low Calorie
Ingredients
Scale
3 medium eggplants, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 large tomato, sliced into wedges
Fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Extra parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
Slice eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out a little of the center flesh to create space for the filling. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Place eggplants on a baking tray cut-side up and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized.
In a skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer until rich and thick.
Fill each roasted eggplant generously with the beef mixture. Top each one with tomato wedges for extra freshness and flavor.
Return stuffed eggplants to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbling and beautifully roasted on top.
Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley and drizzle with olive oil before serving warm.
Notes
Serve with rice pilaf, warm pita bread, cucumber yogurt sauce, roasted potatoes, or a crisp Mediterranean salad.
Swap ground beef for turkey or lentils for a lighter version.
Add chopped spinach or zucchini into the filling for extra veggies.