Savory Baked Eggplant with Meat Filling Recipe You’ll Love

Craving a delightful baked eggplant with rich, savory meat filling that’ll make your taste buds dance?

Mediterranean kitchens have perfected this hearty dish through generations of culinary passion.

Tender eggplant slices cradle spiced ground meat in a comforting embrace of flavor.

Aromatic herbs and warm spices weave magic into every delectable bite.

Layers of textures create a symphony that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Home cooks can easily master this rustic recipe with a few simple techniques.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly these ingredients come together to create something truly spectacular.

Dive into this mouthwatering journey and let your kitchen become a canvas of delicious creativity.

Why Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling Hits The Spot

• Customize Your Comfort: Adapt this recipe by swapping ground meat with plant-based alternatives or using different cheese blends to suit personal tastes and dietary preferences.
• Master a Gourmet Technique: Learn professional-style layering and baking skills that transform simple ingredients into an impressive, restaurant-quality dish without complex culinary training.
• Nutrition-Packed Meal Solution: Enjoy a protein-rich, vegetable-forward recipe that delivers balanced nutrition through lean meat, eggplant, and colorful bell peppers, making it a smart choice for health-conscious families.
• Stress-Free Entertaining Option: Create a crowd-pleasing main course that looks sophisticated but requires minimal complicated steps, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special family dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Use For Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Eggplant: A purple vegetable that serves as the base for this delicious baked dish.
• Minced Meat: The protein-rich core ingredient that provides hearty flavor and substance to the recipe.

• Onion, Bell Peppers, Garlic: A flavor-building trio that adds depth and complexity to the meat mixture.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that brings a bright, green note to the final dish.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Garlic Powder, Pepper, Sweet Paprika, Oregano: A blend of spices that enhances the overall taste and helps create a flavorful coating for the eggplant.
• Tomato Puree, Water: Liquid ingredients that help create a rich, moist sauce for the meat mixture.
• Mozzarella, Parmesan: Cheese ingredients that add creaminess and a golden, melted topping to the final baked dish.

How To Bake Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

Step 1: Prepare Eggplant for Roasting

Wash and trim the eggplants. Slice them lengthwise into even, thin pieces.

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Sweet paprika
• Dried oregano

Generously brush both sides of eggplant slices with the seasoned oil mixture.

Step 2: Roast Eggplant Slices

Place eggplant slices on a baking sheet.

Roast in a preheated oven at 356°F for 20 minutes until they become tender and slightly golden.

Step 3: Create Savory Meat Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large skillet.

• Diced bell peppers
• Minced garlic
• Ground meat

Season the meat with complementary spices and cook until fully browned.

Step 4: Enhance Meat Sauce

Stir in fresh chopped parsley, tomato puree, and a splash of water. Simmer the sauce until it thickens and develops rich flavors.

Step 5: Assemble Baked Eggplant Casserole

Layer the roasted eggplant slices in a baking dish. Top with the prepared meat sauce.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Step 6: Final Baking

Return the assembled dish to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly and slightly golden.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Serve hot as a delicious main course or side dish.

Tips For Juicy Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Select firm, glossy eggplants without blemishes to ensure the best texture and flavor for your dish.
• Drain excess liquid from minced meat after cooking to prevent a watery filling and maintain a rich, concentrated taste.
• Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version of this hearty meal.
• Slice eggplants uniformly to guarantee even cooking and a consistent, tender texture throughout the dish.
• Sprinkle extra herbs like fresh basil or thyme on top before serving to enhance the aromatic profile and add a fresh touch.

Tasty Twists For Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Mediterranean Veggie Delight: Replace meat with a mixture of quinoa, chickpeas, and roasted vegetables for a protein-packed vegetarian version that maintains the dish's rich flavors.
• Greek-Inspired Variation: Swap mozzarella with feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle with fresh dill to create an authentic Greek-style eggplant casserole.
• Spicy Mexican Remix: Incorporate chorizo, jalapeños, and swap paprika for chipotle powder. Top with pepper jack cheese and fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Middle Eastern Touch: Use ground lamb instead of beef, add cumin and cinnamon to the meat mixture, and garnish with pine nuts and fresh mint for an aromatic Mediterranean experience.

Best Pairings For Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, savory meat filling and cuts through the eggplant's earthy flavor.
• Complement with Fresh Mediterranean Salad: Create a crisp Greek-style salad with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese to balance the warm, hearty baked eggplant dish and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve alongside herbed sourdough or ciabatta bread to soak up the delicious meat sauce and add a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.

Storage Instructions For Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Refrigerator Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the eggplant and meat mixture are completely cooled before sealing.
• Freezer Preservation: Pack portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2 months.
• Microwave Reheating: Place individual servings on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming.
• Oven Reheating: Warm portions in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with aluminum foil for 15-20 minutes.

FAQs On Baked Eggplant With Savory Meat Filling

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, lamb, or chicken based on your preference and dietary needs.

• Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check individual ingredient labels to ensure no cross-contamination.

• How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace the meat with plant-based alternatives like lentils, tofu, or textured vegetable protein, keeping the same seasoning and cooking method.

• What are the best side dishes to complement this eggplant recipe?

A fresh green salad, Greek-style rice, or crusty bread work wonderfully with this hearty eggplant dish.

Baked Eggplant with Savory Meat Filling Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent “Baked Eggplant with Savory Meat Filling” blends Mediterranean flavors into a hearty culinary experience. Mediterranean kitchens shine through this comforting dish that welcomes you to savor each delicious, richly spiced bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants
• 0.7 pounds (0.7 lb) of minced meat
• 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of tomato puree
• 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of mozzarella

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Parsley, chopped

Spices and Seasonings:

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sweet paprika
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Ginger
• Coriander
• 2/3 cup of water
• Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 356°F, creating an ideal environment for roasting the eggplant.
2. Carefully slice eggplants lengthwise into thin, uniform sections approximately 0.4 inches thick, ensuring even cooking.
3. Create a fragrant seasoning blend by combining olive oil with salt, garlic powder, pepper, sweet paprika, and oregano.
4. Generously coat both sides of eggplant slices with the prepared seasoning mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Roast the seasoned eggplant in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the slices become tender and slightly golden.
6. In a skillet, sauté onions in olive oil until they become translucent and release their sweet aroma.
7. Add bell peppers and garlic to the skillet, creating a flavorful base for the meat mixture.
8. Introduce minced meat to the vegetable blend, seasoning thoroughly and cooking until the meat is completely browned.
9. Enhance the meat mixture by stirring in fresh parsley, rich tomato puree, and a splash of water.
10. Simmer the meat sauce until it thickens and develops a robust, concentrated flavor.
11. Construct the final dish by layering roasted eggplant slices with the prepared meat mixture.
12. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the assembled layers for a creamy, golden finish.
13. Return the assembled dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes slightly crispy.

Notes

• Choose firm, glossy eggplants without blemishes for the best texture and flavor absorption.
• Pat eggplant slices dry before brushing with oil to ensure even roasting and prevent sogginess.
• Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version.
• Use zucchini or portobello mushrooms as low-carb substitutes for eggplant to accommodate different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg