30 Best Eggplant Recipes in Its Peak Season
You'll fall in love with this summer vegetable.
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With summer in full swing, we're all about embracing those garden-fresh veggies. Whether it's zucchini recipes or juicy tomatoes, there are hardly enough days in the season to make all our favorite summer vegetable dishes. The same goes for eggplant recipes, too! "Roasted eggplant is one of life's sheer pleasures," Ree Drummond says, and we couldn’t agree more. That's why we've rounded up the best eggplant recipes to make all summer long. Whether you grill it, fry it, or even stuff it, there are so many creative ways to prepare eggplant. Another eggplant recipe Ree loves? Baba ghanoush! It's a smoky eggplant party dip that tastes great with pita bread or veggie sticks.
Perhaps one of the best-known ways to use eggplant is in a classic eggplant parmesan. It's layered with marinara sauce and plenty of cheese to make a vegetarian main course that even a cowboy would love. Here, you'll find variations on the traditional dish, including Ree's grilled eggplant parm hoagies. And speaking of Italian dinner ideas, this list also includes eggplant in pasta recipes, summer salads, simple sides, and more. So read on for everything you need to know about cooking with eggplant!
Stuffed Eggplant
This tender roasted eggplant is filled with a hearty mixture of couscous, seasoned vegetables, and ground beef. But it's the bold spices like cumin, paprika, and coriander that really make it shine.
Get the Stuffed Eggplant recipe.
Eggplant Rollatini
This is one of Ree's favorite eggplant recipes to order at a restaurant. But luckily, it's just as easy to make at home! Just grab a jar marinara sauce to start making this cheesy rolled eggplant dish.
Get Ree's Eggplant Rollatini recipe.
Ratatouille
This beautiful summer dish layers slices of eggplant with zucchini, tomato, bell pepper, onion, and summer squash. It's a show-stopping side that would be perfect alongside a roasted chicken, fish, or even steak.
Get the Ratatouille recipe.
Grilled Eggplant
This might be one of the easiest ways to cook eggplant. You don't even need to peel it before grilling! And the result is a smoky side dish that goes with just about anything.
Get the Grilled Eggplant recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna
Swap the noodles in your lasagna for slices of tender eggplant instead! It's a fun and summery twist on this comforting casserole.
Get the Eggplant Lasagna recipe.
Eggplant Caponata
This tangy Italian dish is filled with tender veggies, salty capers, and sweet golden raisins. It's a unique spread for toasted crostini, but it can also be spooned over grilled chicken or pasta.
Get the Eggplant Caponata recipe.
Fried Eggplant
Eggplant becomes meltingly tender on the inside and extra-crispy on the outside when fried with panko breadcrumbs. Serve it up with tomato sauce for dipping and watch the whole family gather round!
Get the Fried Eggplant recipe.
Roasted Veggie Cast-Iron Pizza
Add some veggies to your pizza night! This homemade pie is topped with tender roasted eggplant, asparagus, goat cheese, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze.
Get Ree's Roasted Veggie Cast-Iron Pizza recipe.
Eggplant Parmesan
Just like chicken parmesan, this layered casserole is ooey-gooey and oh-so comforting. It's a great option for a vegetarian main course.
Get the Eggplant Parmesan recipe.
Moussaka
This classic Greek dish layers roasted eggplant with scrumptious meat sauce and creamy cheese sauce for a hearty casserole that you can make all year-round.
Get the Moussaka recipe.
Eggplant Lasagna Roll-Ups
This twist on veggie lasagna makes dinner easy to serve. Everyone in the family can portion out their serving based on how many roll-ups they want to eat!
Get Ree's Eggplant Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe.
Grilled Eggplant Parm Hoagies
Eggplant parm lovers will appreciate this variation that's ready in less than an hour! It stacks grilled eggplant with marinara sauce, sliced tomato, and provolone cheese onto crusty hero rolls. You can also add sliced olives or pickled peppers if you prefer.
Get Ree's Grilled Eggplant Parm Hoagies recipe.
Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Puttanesca Pasta
Traditional puttanesca is typically made with tomatoes, olives, capers, and anchovies so it's simple, yet briny. This version adds roasted summer veggies (zucchini and eggplant) for even more fresh flavor.
Get the Roasted Zucchini and Eggplant Puttanesca Pasta recipe.
Baba Ghanoush
Baba ghanoush is a traditional Mediterranean spread (or dip) that's made with smoky eggplant, tahini, garlic, and fresh herbs. As Ree says, "It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This."
Get Ree's Baba Ghanoush recipe.
Beautiful Roasted Vegetables
Along with meltingly delicious eggplant, this assortment of veggies includes asparagus, bell pepper, mushrooms, and squash. It's perfect for serving as a side for steak or in a sandwich, panini, or quesadilla.
Get Ree's Beautiful Roasted Vegetables recipe.
Eggplant Meatballs
These might not be your typical meatballs but they sure are a tasty and fun recipe to try! The vegan "meatballs" are made with a base of roasted eggplant, lentils, and toasted bread crumbs. Then, served with marinara sauce or tzatziki on the side.
Get the Eggplant Meatballs recipe at The Mediterranean Dish.
Middle Eastern Eggplant Wrap
This is one of those easy sandwiches that's incredibly versatile. You can roast or grill the eggplant slices and add any crunchy veggies that you prefer. You can even add crumbled feta cheese to the mix!
Get the Middle Eastern Eggplant Wrap recipe at Feasting at Home.
Eggplant Salad
Pack this summer salad for your next potluck or picnic! It's all about the freshness of seasonal veggies finished with a tangy marinade.
Get the Eggplant Salad recipe at Simple Joy.
Baked Ziti with Eggplant and Chicken Sausage
This cheesy baked pasta will have everyone asking for seconds. It's packed with spiced roasted eggplant and apple chicken sausage for a hearty spin.
Get the Baked Ziti with Eggplant and Chicken Sausage recipe at Dude That Cookz.
Moroccan Lentil-Stuffed Eggplant
Saucy, spiced lentils are the filling for this smoky stuffed eggplant dish. It's the perfect main course for vegetarians that even meat-eaters will love, too!
Get the Moroccan Lentil-Stuffed Eggplant recipe at Minimalist Baker.
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