Description
Easy Eggplant Rollatini is a comforting Italian dish. Tender eggplant slices are filled with a creamy ricotta mixture, rolled, and baked in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella. It’s a perfect vegetarian meal for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until tender and pliable.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and half of the chopped basil. Mix until well blended.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture onto each eggplant slice and roll up tightly. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the eggplant rolls and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with remaining basil before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy eggplant, you can lightly salt the slices and let them sit for 20 minutes, then pat dry to remove moisture.
- Using part-skim ricotta can make the dish lighter without losing creaminess.
- This dish is naturally gluten-free if you check your marinara sauce label.
- You can make this eggplant rollatini ahead of time by assembling up to 1 day ahead, covering, and refrigerating before baking.
- Do not peel the eggplant; the skin adds texture and nutrients.
- Jarred marinara sauce works perfectly for convenience and flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 calories
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 0mg