Easy Eggplant Recipes and Entrees (2024)

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

These tasty eggplant recipes prove that hearty goodness can come straight from the garden.

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan with Grilled Tomato Marinara

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan with Grilled Tomato Marinara Recipe

Our Grilled Tomato Marinara and fresh mozzarella take Grilled Eggplant Parmesan over the top.

Eggplant and Zucchini Parmesan

Eggplant and Zucchini Parmesan Recipe

Grilled Baby Eggplants with Green Onion Salsa

Grilled Baby Eggplants with Green Onion Salsa Recipe

If you can't find the type of eggplant we used, go for small, slender Japanese eggplants instead.

Charred Eggplant with Chermoula

Charred Eggplant with Chermoula Recipe

While not Israeli in origin (chermoula is actually a Moroccan condiment), this dish speaks to the many culinary influences of Israel's North African and Middle Eastern neighbors. The sauce is wonderfully complex--bright, herbaceous, and spicy. Israel has a vegetable-centric cuisine (they are eaten at every meal); cooking vegetables over an open flame until deeply charred is a favorite cooking method.

Grilled Eggplant with Cherry Tomatoes

Grilled Eggplant with Cherry Tomatoes Recipe

Layers of eggplant, melted cheese, and grilled tomatoes stack up for a satisfying meal on meatless Monday (or any night of the week). Serve with crusty grilled bread and a crisp green salad.

Wine pairing: An earthy, lively red like Imagery Estate 2013 Sangiovese (Sonoma County; $42).

Crispy Eggplant, Tomato, and Provolone Stacks with Basil

Crispy Eggplant, Tomato, and Provolone Stacks with Basil Recipe

Add bacon or prosciutto just before baking for a more savory meal.

Seafood Stuffed Eggplant

Fill eggplant halves with a flavorful blend of shrimp, vegetables, and fresh herbs for a seaside-inspired entrée. To save time, prepare the eggplant halves up to a day in advance and bake before serving. A simple way to enjoy a savory eggplant entree.

Recipe:Seafood Stuffed Eggplant

Braised Eggplant and Broccolini with Fried Ginger

Braised Eggplant and Broccolini with Fried Ginger Recipe

Most varieties of eggplant work beautifully in this stir-fry. A side of rice is a must.

Eggplant Parm

Eggplant Parm Recipe

New York City's Torrisi Italian Specialties uses only American ingredients in virtually all of its dishes. Its basil-rich eggplant parmesan, also delicious on a toasted roll, calls for Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs and SarVecchio parmesan from Wisconsin.

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Miso Aioli

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Creole Salsa Recipe

Be sure to choose smaller eggplants; they'll be easier to slice and easier to handle on the grill.

Eggplant and Onion Noodle Salad with Warm Soy-Rice Vinaigrette

Highlight eggplant's deep purple color with this beautiful Asian noodle salad. Bok choy, chopped onion, and green beans punch up the flavor, while a vinaigrette made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and chile pepper ties the dish together.

Recipe:Eggplant and Onion Noodle Salad with Warm Soy-Rice Vinaigrette

Baked Eggplant with Mushroom-and-Tomato Sauce

Eggplant baked with sliced mushrooms, tomato sauce, and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses makes for a comforting weeknight meal. Add ground beef or turkey for more protein.

Recipe:Baked Eggplant with Mushroom-and-Tomato Sauce

Garden Eggplant Pizza

Celebrate a garden harvest with this homemade pizza loaded with eggplant, tomato, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini.

Recipe:Garden Eggplant Pizza

Grilled Eggplant Provolone

Grilling is a quick, easy, and flavorful way to prepare eggplant. All you need is a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil; a sprinkle of dried oregano, salt, and pepper; and sliced provolone cheese.

Recipe:Grilled Eggplant Provolone

Brown Rice Penne with Eggplant

Jazz up pasta night by topping brown rice penne pasta with a eggplant-and-tomato sauce. Serve with a green salad and homemade garlic bread.

Recipe:Brown Rice Penne with Eggplant

Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

Try this innovative twist on traditional eggplant parmesan, featuring baked eggplant and polenta rounds smothered with tomato sauce and cheese. Serve with piping hot breadsticks for a hearty meal.

Recipe:Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

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Eggplant Rollatini Recipe

Looking for an easy eggplant rollatini recipe? This savoryeggplant rollatini is an easy and unexpected party appetizer. Cut each roll-up in half and serve with toothpicks for a pop-in-your-mouth bite. Hungry for more? Check out this collection of40 Easy Eggplant Recipesnext.

Greek Eggplant Skillet Dinner

Greek Eggplant Skillet Dinner Recipe

Protein-rich tofu teams up with meaty eggplant in this Greek-inspired skillet supper. Pick up San Marzano tomatoes if you can find them; their sweet flavor and low acidity balance the flavors of this dish. Crush them gently with your hands before chopping to release any excess juices. Be sure to purchase extra-firm tofu so that it holds its shape. Serve with toasted whole-wheat pita bread.

Miso-Glazed Eggplant Steaks

Miso-Glazed Eggplant Steaks Recipe

To quote Robin Bashinsky, the mastermind behind this recipe, “This is a dish full of char and vigor.” Savory miso is a natural match for thick eggplant steaks; look for miso in the refrigerated section of your grocery store’s produce department.

Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons

Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons Recipe

Eggplant is an incredibly versatile vegetable and a good choice for meatless meals. In this cheesy Rollups recipe, eggplant stands in for a delicious substitute for pasta. Eggplants enjoy the same growing conditions as tomatoes, so try growing your own this year.

Warm Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Eggplant

Warm Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Eggplant Recipe

Congratulations—You just found your new go-to pasta salad! This veggie-packed beauty is nice and filling, thanks to meaty eggplant. If you can’t find burrata, simply tear 6 ounces of fresh mozzarella into bite-size pieces. Heading to a potluck? Feel free to make this recipe ahead of time; just be sure to let it come to room temperature and toss with an extra drizzle of vinegar and oil before serving. Add a few tablespoons of chopped fresh basil leaves for an extra layer of flavor.

Harissa-Roasted Eggplant with Minced Chicken

Harissa-Roasted Eggplant with Minced Chicken Recipe

Here we play with the concept of meat as condiment, using a small amount of rich chicken thighs as a sort of relish on spicy roasted eggplant. Creamy Greek yogurt offers cooling balance to the heat of harissa.

Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan

Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Our Test Kitchen made eggplant Parmesan easier (and healthier!) without sacrificing any of the comforting flavor of the original home-cooked dish.

Lamb- and Rice-Stuffed Eggplant image

Lamb and Rice Stuffed Eggplant Recipe

If you’ve ever experienced the disappointment that is a bland eggplant boat hidden under copious amounts of sauce and cheese… rest assured, this isn’t that. A variety of dried spices provide a wealth of warm, aromatic flavors, while ground lamb delivers a distinct richness, and fresh mint provides a pop of herbaceous energy—ultimately, making for an incredibly satisfying meal. Even if you’re not always on Team Eggplant, we’re confident that this flavor-packed dish may very well be a preparation you of the veggie you really enjoy. When shopping, look for eggplants with firm skin and no bruises. If you have trouble finding ground lamb, you can definitely substitute a different ground meat, like beef or turkey, in it’s place—just be sure to use a ground meat with at least 10% fat.

Eggplant Pappardelle image

Eggplant Pappardelle Recipe

If you thought zoodles were good, wait until you give eggplant “noodles” a go. Swapping pappardelle pasta for long ribbons of eggplant makes for a stunning and flavor-packed, veggie-forward entree you’ll love to serve to guests. The key is to make sure you do not overcook the eggplant, as it should be tender, but still have some body to it. To do this, be sure to get the oil hot before adding your eggplant, and cook the eggplant undisturbed to promote browning. Turning the heat off when stirring in the pesto keeps the eggplant from burning. This dish is not ideal for reheating, so aim to eat what you make. However, on its own, the scrumptious pesto sauce is worth doubling to have leftovers you can use throughout the week.

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Pasta with Eggplant, Burrata, and Mint Recipe

Eggplant and Ham Fritters with Creamy Mustard Sauce image

Eggplant and Ham Fritters with Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe

Crispy on the outside andpillowy on the inside, these golden, savory fritters are the perfect starter or brunch dish. With a delicate eggplant flavor, deliciously balanced by smoky ham, this is the perfect gateway recipe for anyone who claims to “hate” eggplant. Try not to over-mix the batter as this will make your fritters chewy, and be sure to work in small batches while frying so you don’t overcrowd the pan. If you have trouble finding crème frâiche, you can easily substitute full-fat sour cream.

Eggplant Bolognese image

Eggplant Bolognese Recipe

This hearty veggie-forward main dish swaps pork and beef with grated eggplant and mushrooms for a robust, vegetable-based take on traditional pasta bolognese. That said, this is not the type of veggie dish that leaves one wanting, the eggplant and mushrooms develop a deeply rich flavor as the sauce simmers and thickens, delivering plenty of satisfying, umami goodness. Grating and squeezing out the liquid in the eggplant is an essential step, so don't tryto shortcut it—otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a watery, slightly bitter sauce. To make the dish completely vegetarian, simply skip the Parmesan cheese. Serve family-style on a large platter for a stunning presentation.

Photographer Greg Dupree, Food Styling Catherine Steele, Prop Styling Kay Clar

Eggplant Rollups Recipe

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Miso Aioli

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing Recipe

Be sure to choose smaller eggplants; they'll be easier to slice and easier to handle on the grill.

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Cheesy Eggplant Crust Pizza Recipe

Eggplant and pizza—they make sense together. But this cheesy-good recipe puts the tasty pairing to work in a new, veggie-forward way. Rather than top a traditional dough-crusted pizza with sliced eggplant, we’ve used eggplant as the base for a delicious, gluten-free twist on a traditional pie. And the result is all kinds of comforting. Don’t skip out on salting your eggplant slices (and letting them stand for about 15 minutes), this is an important step as it helps to both draw moisture from the eggplant and tame its bitter flavor. This vegetarian-friendly dish will be a sure hit with the eggplant lovers in your life (and may even convert some haters). We love it as a light entree paired with a salad or served as fun appetizer.

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Miso Aioli

Grilled Eggplant Planks with Miso Aioli Recipe

Be sure to choose smaller eggplants; they'll be easier to slice and easier to handle on the grill.