This is a favorite meal from Southern Living that we lightened up by adding in fresh chopped spinach and reducing the amount of cooking oil used. The eggplant works so well in place of a traditional pasta noodle and adds fiber and b-vitamins to this dish, boosting overall nutrient content.

Eggplant is a summer season vegetable and a great source of fiber and b-vitamins. Extra-virgin olive oil adds heart-healthy fats to this dish, while also making it satiating.

This makes a great meatless meal on its own but you can add in lean ground turkey or beef to up the protein content of this meal.

Simple Eggplant Rollups

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Servings 6

Cuisine Mediterranean

Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 eggplants cut lengthwise into 12 (1/4 inch thick) slices
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 10 oz container whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves finely chopped
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 cups marinara sauce I use Rao’s Marinara sauce
• 1/3 cup shaved parmesan

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425F.
• Sprinkle eggplant slices on both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and place in a colander to drain for 15 minutes. Rinse well and press between 2 paper towels to dry.
• Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer on greased baking sheets. Spray eggplant slices on both sides with olive oil cooking spray.
• Bake at 425 until just beginning to brown, about 13-15 minutes. Remove from oven, and reduce temperature to 375F.
• While eggplant is baking, stir together ricotta, basil, pepper, oil, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt in a medium bowl.
• Pour 1 cup of the marinara sauce into an 11 x 7 in baking dish. Place 1 Tbsp ricotta mixture on 1 eggplant slice and roll up from the short end.
• Place rollup, seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining ricotta mixture and eggplant slices. Top evenly with remaining 1/4 cup marinara.
• Bake at 375F until sauce is bubbly and warm and tops of rollups are very lightly browned, about 15-20 minutes. Top with parmesan and basil. Serve immediately.
• Try adding minced mushrooms, fresh spinach, grated zucchini, or lean/ground turkey/beef to your rollups.

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