10 Top-Rated Main Dish Eggplant Dinners

Little lamb meatballs in a spicy eggplant tomato sauce
Photo by Chef John.

When eggplant hits peak freshness at the market, we go all in. It's eggplant all the time around here. Eggplant is incredibly versatile and excels in so many preparations, so it's easy to indulge. Here are ten of our favorite main dish recipes featuring the full glory of eggplant.

01 of 11

Eggplant Rollatini

This impressive dish is ready in about 45 minutes. You'll simply spread a layer of ricotta cheese onto thin, lightly fried slices of eggplant; add a slice of prosciutto, and roll 'em up. Pour spaghetti sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese over the rolls and bake. "I absolutely love this dish," says SpicyChefs. "I was looking for an easy and fast way of making eggplant rollatini, and this was it."

02 of 11

Little Lamb Meatballs in a Spicy Eggplant Tomato Sauce

Little lamb meatballs in a spicy eggplant tomato sauce
Photo by Chef John.

A little sweet and a little spicy, this recipe features lamb meatballs simmered in a spicy tomato and eggplant sauce. Watch the video, and you'll discover Chef John's trick for making uniform-size meatballs. "This was so simple to prepare and tasted delish," says TUNISIANSWIFE. "The meatballs were so so tender!

03 of 11

Marrakesh Vegetable Curry

Marrakesh Vegetable Curry
christine

Eggplant, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach star in this healthy, Morocco-inspired stew. "A vegetable-full curry," raves NIBLETS. "If you have carrot-ginger juice available to you, try using it in place of the orange juice -- either one is delicious!"

04 of 11

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Stew

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Stew
Photo by Meredith.

You'll slowly simmer eggplant, zucchini, okra, butternut or acorn squash, and carrots in tomato sauce and vegetable broth. Raisins provide a subtle touch of sweetness to the savory. "Simple, healthy, and quite flavorful," says Lisa.

05 of 11

Grilled Eggplant Moussaka

Grilled Eggplant Moussaka
Photo by Meredith.

Here's a lighter take on traditional Greek moussaka. "What makes the difference," says constantina, "is the grilled, not fried, vegetables, including eggplant, potatoes and zucchini." The grilled veggies mingle with lean ground beef, fresh chopped tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.

06 of 11

Eggplant Lasagna

Roasted Eggplant Lasagna
Photo by SunnyDaysNora.

Slices of breaded and roasted eggplant stand in deliciously for the noodles in this beef and tomato-sauce lasagna. ""Loved it," raves claire11103. "I got the eggplant real crispy in the oven, and it translated well when I baked everything."

07 of 11

Baingan Bharta (Eggplant Curry)

A white plate on a red background with a serving of eggplant curry
Photo by drzhivago73. drzhivago73

This authentic Indian curry combines chopped roasted eggplant with cumin seeds, simmered in a ginger garlic paste, curry powder, tomato, and yogurt sauce. Jalapeno chile pepper provides a little heat. "I loved this," says Craig. "Cooking the eggplant with the skin on gives it so much more flavor. I served it with a whole wheat naan bread."

08 of 11

Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Eggplant

Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Eggplant
Photo by LindaT.

Roasted eggplant gives garlic mashed potatoes a smooth, rich quality. Fried onions and crumbled bacon take it deliciously over the top. "Try this for a moist option of mashed potatoes with no butter, milk or gravy required," says peawormsworth. "The bacon is delicious, but the recipe works without it."

09 of 11

Ratatouille

zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant on a white plate
Hannah T

Tons of healthy fresh vegetables, including eggplant, zucchini, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions go into this classic Mediterranean dish. "It was the best-tasting healthy food I have ever had," raves IbanezLover. LITHRAI adds: "Wonderfully simple, healthy, and delicious."

10 of 11

Crouton Eggplant Parmesan

Crouton Eggplant Parmesan
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

Here's a quick-and-easy eggplant Parmesan casserole topped with garlic croutons and shredded mozzarella cheese. "A great way to make eggplant parmigiana," says Kristine. "It was really fun to make, too."

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