Description
A delicious and healthy Eggplant Caprese Bake that combines layers of eggplant, tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil for a delightful veggie dish.
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant slices in batches and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Add more oil as needed.
- In a baking dish, spread half of the diced tomatoes on the bottom. Layer half of the eggplant slices over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with half of the oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Add half of the mozzarella slices on top, followed by half of the basil and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients: tomatoes, eggplant, seasonings, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan.
- Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top layer.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a smoky flavor, grill the eggplant slices instead of pan-frying them.
- To add a kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes between the layers or top with sliced jalapeños before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg