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These healthy eggplant recipes are the kind of entrées and side dishes that will have you scraping your plate all summer long. From hearty, cheesy pasta dishes to zesty eggplants from the grill, these four- and five-star rated dishes highlight the seasonal veggie in a delicious way. Make sure to stock up on thefreshest eggplantsbecause recipes like our Penne with Sausage & Eggplant Bolognese and Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad will leave you wanting more!Whenselecting an eggplantfor any of these dishes, it’s best to choose a smaller one as they are usually more tender, less bitter and have fewer seeds. Look for an eggplant with smooth, deep purple skin that shines. The area where the stem was should be green, not brown. When gently pressed, the eggplant should spring back, so it should not be soft or mushy. Also, it’s important not to cut the eggplant until ready to use it. Once exposed to air, the flesh oxidizes quickly and turns brown.
These healthy eggplant recipes are the kind of entrées and side dishes that will have you scraping your plate all summer long. From hearty, cheesy pasta dishes to zesty eggplants from the grill, these four- and five-star rated dishes highlight the seasonal veggie in a delicious way. Make sure to stock up on thefreshest eggplantsbecause recipes like our Penne with Sausage & Eggplant Bolognese and Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad will leave you wanting more!
Whenselecting an eggplantfor any of these dishes, it’s best to choose a smaller one as they are usually more tender, less bitter and have fewer seeds. Look for an eggplant with smooth, deep purple skin that shines. The area where the stem was should be green, not brown. When gently pressed, the eggplant should spring back, so it should not be soft or mushy. Also, it’s important not to cut the eggplant until ready to use it. Once exposed to air, the flesh oxidizes quickly and turns brown.
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EatingWell’s Eggplant Parmesan
View Recipe
02of 27Summer Vegetable Gnocchi SaladView RecipeThis riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
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Summer Vegetable Gnocchi Salad
This riff on pasta salad is best served warm while the gnocchi are nice and tender. Plus, the grilled veggies taste extra-good fresh off the fire in this easy gnocchi recipe.
03of 27Eggplant Pomodoro PastaView RecipeIn this eggplant pasta dish, diced eggplant turns tender when sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Toss with fresh plum tomatoes, green olives and capers and you have a simple, tasty sauce. We like the eggplant pasta sauce over angel hair pasta, but any type will work. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a mixed green salad.
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Eggplant Pomodoro Pasta
In this eggplant pasta dish, diced eggplant turns tender when sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Toss with fresh plum tomatoes, green olives and capers and you have a simple, tasty sauce. We like the eggplant pasta sauce over angel hair pasta, but any type will work. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a mixed green salad.
04of 27Low-Carb Eggplant PizzasView RecipeThese eggplant pizzas have all the classic flavors of a real pizza without all the carbs. Opt for spicy Italian sausage if you like the heat! Serve these mini pizzas with a green salad on the side to complete the meal.
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Low-Carb Eggplant Pizzas
These eggplant pizzas have all the classic flavors of a real pizza without all the carbs. Opt for spicy Italian sausage if you like the heat! Serve these mini pizzas with a green salad on the side to complete the meal.
05of 27Yatimcheh (Iranian Eggplant, Tomato & Potato Stew)View RecipeJoy HowardYatimcheh is a comforting, economical and easy-to-prepare Iranian-style vegetarian stew of eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. This dish can be prepared year-round but is particularly flavorful with sweet late-summer tomatoes and eggplant. Serve yatimcheh with flatbread, like lavash or sangak, or rice, with a side of fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, basil or green onions, and plain yogurt.
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Yatimcheh (Iranian Eggplant, Tomato & Potato Stew)
Joy Howard
Yatimcheh is a comforting, economical and easy-to-prepare Iranian-style vegetarian stew of eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. This dish can be prepared year-round but is particularly flavorful with sweet late-summer tomatoes and eggplant. Serve yatimcheh with flatbread, like lavash or sangak, or rice, with a side of fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, basil or green onions, and plain yogurt.
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Penne with Sausage & Eggplant Bolognese
07of 27Baked Breaded EggplantView RecipeThis breaded eggplant is baked to perfection with a crunchy outside and soft interior. It’s wonderful dipped in marinara. If you want to elevate it further, add a sweet and tangy drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves.
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Baked Breaded Eggplant
This breaded eggplant is baked to perfection with a crunchy outside and soft interior. It’s wonderful dipped in marinara. If you want to elevate it further, add a sweet and tangy drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves.
08of 27Easy Eggplant Stir-FryView RecipeThis eggplant stir-fry is easy to make. We call for long and tender Japanese eggplant, but regular eggplant will work well too, cut into 1-inch pieces. Jalapeño peppers can vary from mild to very spicy. If you need to cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.
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Easy Eggplant Stir-Fry
This eggplant stir-fry is easy to make. We call for long and tender Japanese eggplant, but regular eggplant will work well too, cut into 1-inch pieces. Jalapeño peppers can vary from mild to very spicy. If you need to cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.
09of 27Crispy Eggplant Parmesan FriesView RecipeThe cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
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Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries
The cheesy flavor and crispy crust on these eggplant “fries” is just like fried eggplant Parmesan, but with a fraction of the oil. They’re the perfect appetizer for Italian night! Dip these crispy fries into a big hot bowl of your favorite marinara.
10of 27Eggplant Lasagna RollsView RecipeVegetarians and meat-eaters alike will devour these comforting lasagna rolls. We use thinly sliced eggplant in place of pasta to cut the carbs. Preroasting the eggplant helps develop the flavor and softens the slices for easy rolling.
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Eggplant Lasagna Rolls
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will devour these comforting lasagna rolls. We use thinly sliced eggplant in place of pasta to cut the carbs. Preroasting the eggplant helps develop the flavor and softens the slices for easy rolling.
11of 27Caprese-Stuffed EggplantView RecipeWe took all the elements of a classic caprese—tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar—and stuffed them inside a fresh-baked eggplant. The result is a perfect vegetarian, late-summer dinner everyone will enjoy.
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Caprese-Stuffed Eggplant
We took all the elements of a classic caprese—tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar—and stuffed them inside a fresh-baked eggplant. The result is a perfect vegetarian, late-summer dinner everyone will enjoy.
12of 27Eggplant Rollatini Is Packed with ProteinView RecipePhotographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine KeelyThis tender eggplant rollatini will melt in your mouth. Double-baking the eggplant helps soften the eggplant slices for rolling. If you have extra eggplant, chop it up and sauté it in oil with a little garlic and combine with wilted dark leafy greens like spinach or kale for an easy side. A hunk of toasted whole-grain bread completes the meal.
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Eggplant Rollatini Is Packed with Protein
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
This tender eggplant rollatini will melt in your mouth. Double-baking the eggplant helps soften the eggplant slices for rolling. If you have extra eggplant, chop it up and sauté it in oil with a little garlic and combine with wilted dark leafy greens like spinach or kale for an easy side. A hunk of toasted whole-grain bread completes the meal.
13of 27Roasted Eggplant with LemonView RecipePhotography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Margaret Monroe DickeyThis simple recipe for roasted eggplant with lemon is both tangy and savory and is a delicious side dish to pair with chicken or salmon. In addition to lemon, we season the eggplant with salt, pepper and the herbal, nutty flavor of za’atar. Za’atar is a seasoning blend that typically contains oregano and thyme (or similar herbs); sumac, which has a pleasant citrus flavor; and toasted sesame seeds. Chili powder, coriander and cumin may also be included in some za’atar blends.
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Roasted Eggplant with Lemon
Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Margaret Monroe Dickey
This simple recipe for roasted eggplant with lemon is both tangy and savory and is a delicious side dish to pair with chicken or salmon. In addition to lemon, we season the eggplant with salt, pepper and the herbal, nutty flavor of za’atar. Za’atar is a seasoning blend that typically contains oregano and thyme (or similar herbs); sumac, which has a pleasant citrus flavor; and toasted sesame seeds. Chili powder, coriander and cumin may also be included in some za’atar blends.
14of 27Eggplant Schnitzel with Plum SlawView RecipeGreg DuPreeSesame seeds add another layer of flavor to the coating on these crispy eggplant slices. If plums aren’t in season, try another stone fruit for sweetness. Tomatoes are another good alternative.
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Eggplant Schnitzel with Plum Slaw
Greg DuPree
Sesame seeds add another layer of flavor to the coating on these crispy eggplant slices. If plums aren’t in season, try another stone fruit for sweetness. Tomatoes are another good alternative.
15of 27Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous & AlmondsView RecipeSmoky almonds, meaty eggplant and whole-grain couscous with herbs make this meal plenty satisfying. Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
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Stuffed Eggplant with Couscous & Almonds
Smoky almonds, meaty eggplant and whole-grain couscous with herbs make this meal plenty satisfying. Harissa gives the creamy sauce a little kick.
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Eggplant Parmesan
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18of 27Grilled Eggplant SaladView RecipeThis easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you’ll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it’s equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs makes for a salad that’s full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread.
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Grilled Eggplant Salad
This easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you’ll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it’s equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs makes for a salad that’s full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread.
19of 27Feta & Olive Stuffed EggplantView RecipeThis stuffed eggplant is filled with veggies and flavors of the Mediterranean. The dish is easy to pull together and the addition of cumin gives it a sweet, earthy note.
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Feta & Olive Stuffed Eggplant
This stuffed eggplant is filled with veggies and flavors of the Mediterranean. The dish is easy to pull together and the addition of cumin gives it a sweet, earthy note.
20of 27Roasted Eggplant PastaView RecipeThis easy roasted eggplant pasta dish is dressed with eggplant, fresh cherry tomatoes and plenty of fresh herbs. Feta cheese adds a savory note while the balsamic dressing brightens the flavor. It’s the perfect summer vegetarian dinner.
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Roasted Eggplant Pasta
This easy roasted eggplant pasta dish is dressed with eggplant, fresh cherry tomatoes and plenty of fresh herbs. Feta cheese adds a savory note while the balsamic dressing brightens the flavor. It’s the perfect summer vegetarian dinner.
21of 27Bulgur Pilaf with Eggplant, Pepper & Tomatoes (Hondros me Melitzanes)View RecipeOn Crete, this pilaf is often made with xynohondros, or cracked wheat simmered in soured goat’s milk. A sprinkling of feta pays homage to that flavor.
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Bulgur Pilaf with Eggplant, Pepper & Tomatoes (Hondros me Melitzanes)
On Crete, this pilaf is often made with xynohondros, or cracked wheat simmered in soured goat’s milk. A sprinkling of feta pays homage to that flavor.
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Eggplant Tortilla Casserole
23of 27Eggplant CurryView RecipeWe cook the eggplant in the oven to speed up the recipe and keep things from getting too unruly on the stovetop. While the eggplant roasts, line up all of your ingredients and begin cooking to make this easy eggplant curry come together seamlessly. Any leftovers will hold up well and are great for taking to work for lunch.
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Eggplant Curry
We cook the eggplant in the oven to speed up the recipe and keep things from getting too unruly on the stovetop. While the eggplant roasts, line up all of your ingredients and begin cooking to make this easy eggplant curry come together seamlessly. Any leftovers will hold up well and are great for taking to work for lunch.
24of 27Stuffed EggplantView RecipeIn this Italian-style stuffed eggplant recipe, fresh breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and parsley make a simple, yet delicious filling for an “inside-out” eggplant Parmesan. Serve these stuffed eggplants as a light dinner along with a big salad.
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Stuffed Eggplant
In this Italian-style stuffed eggplant recipe, fresh breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and parsley make a simple, yet delicious filling for an “inside-out” eggplant Parmesan. Serve these stuffed eggplants as a light dinner along with a big salad.
25of 27Air-Fryer EggplantView RecipeJacob FoxThis air-fryer eggplant is crispy on the outside with a tender middle. You can fit more slices in the basket when you use smaller eggplant. Dip these crispy slices in marinara or pesto, or drizzle with balsamic glaze.
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Air-Fryer Eggplant
Jacob Fox
This air-fryer eggplant is crispy on the outside with a tender middle. You can fit more slices in the basket when you use smaller eggplant. Dip these crispy slices in marinara or pesto, or drizzle with balsamic glaze.
26of 27Mixed Grill with Balsamic-Mustard VegetablesView RecipeThis healthy dinner recipe is perfect for using up whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. Just pay attention to cook time: Denser vegetables, such as peppers and onions, take a bit longer than softer ones like zucchini and squash. Smaller ones, like cherry tomatoes, may need to be cooked in a grill basket.
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Mixed Grill with Balsamic-Mustard Vegetables
This healthy dinner recipe is perfect for using up whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. Just pay attention to cook time: Denser vegetables, such as peppers and onions, take a bit longer than softer ones like zucchini and squash. Smaller ones, like cherry tomatoes, may need to be cooked in a grill basket.
27of 27Baba GhanoushView RecipeGrilled eggplant is pureed along with garlic, lemon juice and tahini to make a lighter version of the classic Middle Eastern dip. If you can’t find ground sumac for the garnish, chopped pistachios are traditional as well. Serve with pita wedges or use as a spread for sandwiches.
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Baba Ghanoush
Grilled eggplant is pureed along with garlic, lemon juice and tahini to make a lighter version of the classic Middle Eastern dip. If you can’t find ground sumac for the garnish, chopped pistachios are traditional as well. Serve with pita wedges or use as a spread for sandwiches.
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