Eggplant. They come in various sizes, colors, shapes and even names… Aubergine, brinjal, eggplant. 🙂 Eggplant is either wholeheartedly loved or wholeheartedly disliked. The inspiration behind this list of Eggplant Recipes is trying to convert most of you to give this amazingly versatile vegetable (or technically fruit) a chance and start loving it.
When cooked right, with loads of flavor enhancers and seasonings , eggplants turns into amazingly varied flavors. This Eggplant Recipes list has the crispiest of eggplants to the most creamy, soft mushy creations. From varied dips from all over the world, to regular cheesy comfort pans like lasagna and parmesan, to some delicious curries and stews, we have great eggplant recipe ideas for you.
This collection has all the classic eggplant recipes and more. Go through it and make some cracking eggplant recipes on meatless nights or pair it with some hearty meats.
1. Moutabal (Easy Levantine Eggplant Dip)
We are starting with this pretty and delicious dip. Moutabal is a classic Middle Eastern eggplant dip. Creamy roasted eggplant enhanced with lemon juice, yogurt, tahini and a good dousing of olive oil. This one is a great addition to your appetizer spread!
2. Easy French Ratatouille
This thick and silky French stew of eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers, and ripe summer tomatoes will use up your extra vegetables in one fell swoop, making enough food to feed a crowd, pack for lunch, and still freeze for later. Cook this French classic for delicious meatless night.
3. Pasta Alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a delicious Sicilian pasta dish with eggplant, marinara and basil. All the comforting Italian flavors we love in just one pan. This is a vegetarian main dish that even meat lovers will enjoy
4. Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan… Cheesy Italian comfort food. This one is made with un-breaded eggplant slices and yet it turns out absolutely delicious. Quick and easy way to get your eggplant parm on the table.
5. Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)
Melitzanosalata is a delicious Greek eggplant dip with simple ingredients. Roasted smoky eggplant combined with onion, garlic, and lime juice then finished off elegantly with a crunch. Another perfect dip for your party.
6. Thai Green Curry
Eggplant finds its way in authentic Thai curry. These Thai eggplants are small and you might get them in Asian grocery store or your local farmers market.
7. Caponata
Caponata is a delicious Sicilian eggplant relish that perfectly combines sweet and tangy flavors. It’s great as an appetizer or as a garnish for meats or seafood. Once you make this Italian classic, you are going to come back to it again and again.
8. Moussaka (Greek Beef and Eggplant Lasagna)
Moussaka is to the Greeks what Lasagna is to Italians. A rich tomato meat sauce layered with eggplant instead of pasta sheets, and topped with a thick layer of béchamel sauce, this traditional Greek recipe takes time to assemble – but it’s well worth the effort!
9. Baba Ganoush
This easy Baba Ganoush recipe makes the perfect party dip. Roasted eggplant, creamy tahini, and a variety of great flavors enhancers come together beautifully.
10. Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Dip)
Zaalouk is an amazingly delicious eggplant dish out of Morocco. It’s typically used as a dip or salad, but once you taste it you’ll want to eat it with everything!
11. Pisto (Spanish Vegetable Stew)
Pisto is the Spanish version of France’s ratatouille or Italy’s caponata. It’s a hearty vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, onion, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and lots of olive oil. Give these Spanish flavors a try next time you have some fresh produce in your kitchen.
12. Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant
Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant – crispy baked, not fried, eggplant with a garlic parmesan breading. Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of parmesan, crumbs and seasoning. Then roast the pieces just long enough to crisp the outside before the inside becomes too soft. A delicious way to enjoy your favorite eggplant.
Get the Recipe @ crunchycreamysweet
13. Roasted Veggies Antipasto Platter
A colorful plate of roasted veggies along with eggplant brightens any table and offers something for everyone! Perfect for feeding a crowd, for meal prep or as part of a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe @ healthygffamily
14. Dominican Eggplant Fritters (Berenjenas Fritas)
These eggplant fritters are a very common sight in Dominican households. They’re served as a snack or along side rice and beans during meals. Fried eggplant treat.
15. Easy Baked Eggplant Fries
Eggplant fries are super simple, easy to make and are a great alternative to traditional French fries. You can make them in the oven or even the air-fryer in less then 30 minutes. Endless delicious munchies.
16. Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Vinaigrette
This healthy Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Vinaigrette is the vegetable side dish you need in your life! Tender eggplant slices are smothered in a savory garlic dressing and topped with crumbles of feta cheese.
17. Eggplant Lasagna
A tasty, classic Eggplant Lasagna recipe made with roasted eggplant slices and without noodles. Comforting, cheesy, and low carb. You won’t miss the pasta! Perfect for meatless nights.
18. Mediterranean Eggplant Boats
These beautiful and delicious eggplant boats are ready in under one hour and are packed with veggie power. These eggplants are stuffed with quinoa and topped with Mediterranean salsa. Colorful and delicious.
Get the Recipe @ dishingouthealth
19. Eggplant Gratin with Feta Cheese
This creamy and scrumptious Eggplant Gratin is smothered with a delicious white sauce and topped with a generous layer or Gruyere cheese. It’s a side dish that is so easy to make and will be gone before you know it.
Get the Recipe @ lavenderandmacarons
20. Low Carb Eggplant Pizza
A low carb eggplant pizza recipe that uses sliced eggplant as the crust instead of a carb-heavy breaded crust. This tasty recipe is another great meatless night option. Tasty little slices…
Get the Recipe @ eatingbirdfood
21. Simple Almond Chicken, Chickpea and Eggplant Curry
This eggplant curry with chicken is Thai inspired creamy deliciousness. The perfect way to polish off this creamy curry is over a bowlful of jasmine or basmati rice.
Get the Recipe @ halfbakedharvest
22. Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
These sausage stuffed eggplant boats are as tasty as they are fun to eat. Stuffed with spicy sausage and topped with cheese, this baked eggplant recipe is a satisfying, healthy dinner you’ll go back to again and again.
23. Briam (Greek Vegetable Bake)
Briam, or Briami, is a wonderful Mediterranean dish packed with veggies and flavor! This roasted vegetable bake is a traditional Greek dish and is usually served with feta cheese, crusty bread, and olives.
Get the Recipe @ littlesunnykitchen
24. Beef and Eggplant Casserole
This Beef and Eggplant Casserole will become your family favorite in no time. Ground beef and eggplant are prominently featured in this casserole. It’s a tomato-based casserole with cinnamon, pine nuts and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese on top.
25. Eggplant Rollatini Recipe
This is a new way to bake your eggplants, the roll them up way. Eggplant rollups are stuffed with a cheesy ricotta blend and baked in a delicious marinara sauce. Try it on your friends and family.
26. Imam Bayildi (Stuffed Eggplant)
Imam bayildi is a Turkish dish of eggplants cooked in olive oil, and stuffed with tomatoes, onions, peppers and herbs & spices. This one turns out very flavorful and delicious.
27. Baingan Bharta
This smoky baingan bharta is a delicious Indian-style eggplant mash that is great to serve with naan or paratha. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and comes together in 30 minutes. The whole eggplant is roasted over direct flame until it’s soft and smoky and then the pulp is cooked with mild spices.
28. Jamaican Style Eggplant Curry
Jamaican Style Eggplant Curry is flavorful, healthy, easy to prepare using traditional Jamaican herbs, and spices.
Get the Recipe @ healthiersteps
29. Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
The eggplant is grilled until crispy and smoky, and then cooked in a rich savory garlic sauce. This vegan dish is very satisfying, both as a side or a main dish served over rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe @ omnivorescookbook
30. Maqluba (Upside-Down Beef, Eggplant and Rice)
Maqluba, or Maqlooba, is an upside down rice dish that is very common throughout the Middle East. Layers of vegetables, spiced rice and meat are cooked in your oven then flipped for a stunning comfort food dinner.
31. Bharli Vangi – Maharashtrian Stuffed Eggplant Curry
Bharli Vangi means stuffed brinjals or eggplants. Melt-in-the-mouth eggplant is stuffed with a delicious roasted coconut, peanut, sesame seed and simple spice mix, fried in a gloriously sweet onion masala and then slowly cooked until tender. It’s a very popular Indian dish that is my absolute favorite.
32. Meltingly Tender Moroccan Eggplant
Slow-Baked Moroccan Eggplant with Ras el Hanout, caramelized garlic, shallots and tomatoes. A rustic side dish that can be served with fish or meat, or turned into a hearty vegetarian main.
Get the Recipe @ feastingathome
33. Moroccan Eggplant Salad with Chermoula
Moroccan eggplant salad smothered in chermoula is a stunningly lip smacking salad. The eggplant is creamy, fork tender and packed with flavorful herbs and spices. It’s a low cal, low carb treat.
Get the Recipe @ thedeliciouscrescent
34. Eggplant Caprese Salad with Crispy Garlic & Aged Balsamic
Try this eggplant Caprese salad with sweet tomatoes, basil, mozzarella and aged balsamic vinegar topped with some aromatic crispy garlic. This gluten-free and low-carb friendly salad meal can be served as a light main or as a side dish.
35. Middle Eastern Roasted Eggplant Salad
This Roasted Eggplant Salad is packed with Middle Eastern spices, giving it so much warm flavor. It’s an incredibly versatile dish that you can enjoy as a salad, side dish or even dip.
Get the Recipe @ everylastbite
So, that’s it for now my friends. All of these wonderful eggplant recipes in one place. Pin or bookmark this page so you can select any one of the above the next time you have a good looking fresh eggplant in your kitchen.
I ask the most reluctant of the eggplant skeptics to try something like eggplant parm or lasagna, and see how it changes your perception. What’s there to loose? There is a good chance that you are going to be a convert and turned into An Eggplant Lover… 🙂
The 35 BEST Eggplant Recipes
This great collection of easy Eggplant Recipes will give you tons of tasty new ways to cook your favorite purple veggie! Our favorite is this eggplant parmesan:
Ingredients
- 3 medium eggplants, washed
- 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 8oz fresh mozzarella cheese balls
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
- 1/2 tsp table salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cut eggplants into ½-inch thick round slices, arrange on baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Sprinkle half of course salt on eggplant slices, flip and sprinkle remaining salt. Let sit 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to about 375°F. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry using more paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce into a baking dish and spread evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Add eggplant slices (it’s okay if they overlap) and cover with ½ cup of marinara. Sprinkle with a third of the fresh basil, then top with about a third of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Finish with the fresh mozzarella cheese and a final sprinkling of Parmesan.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until mozzarella is bubbling and golden brown.
- Let cool 10 minutes, then serve garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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Thank you for including my Bharli Vangi recipe in your roundup, Alpana!
Thank you, it’s a great recipe!