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+ servings

Eggplant Lasagna

A delicious and hearty eggplant lasagna layered with rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, perfect for a comforting meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Eggplant
  • 2 medium eggplants sliced into ¼ inch rounds
  • 1 teaspoon salt for sweating the eggplant
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for grilling
For the Marinara Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz can
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar to balance acidity
  • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Mixture
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese preferably whole milk
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
For Assembly
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded

Method
 

Prepare the Eggplant
  1. Slice the eggplants into ¼ inch rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit in a colander for about 30 minutes. This process, known as 'sweating', draws out excess moisture and bitterness from the eggplants.
  2. After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplant slices in batches, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Make the Marinara Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, grated parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Assemble the Lasagna
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
  2. Layer half of the eggplant slices over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, and then a layer of marinara sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  3. Repeat the layers with the remaining eggplant, ricotta mixture, marinara sauce, and finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
  4. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent burning) and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve
  1. Once baked, let the lasagna cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time allows the layers to set, making it easier to serve.
  2. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For a gluten-free version, ensure that the marinara sauce is gluten-free. You can also add layers of spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.

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