31 Best Eggplant Recipes for Dinner, Lunch, and More (2024)

Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds

In this Asian-inspired recipe, eggplants roast at high heat, making the outside skin crispy and the inside succulent. The rich miso dressing gives it a salty, umami flavor that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve alongside a piece of fish or meat for an easy and impressive meal.

Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini

This twist on the popular eggplant parmesan dish calls for a ricotta mixture rolled inside each pre-baked eggplant slice before topping it with marinara sauce and freshly grated mozzarella. This eggplant meal has all the cheesy, saucy goodness you'd expect from lasagna without the heaviness of pasta noodles. Bake until browned and bubbly, then serve warm to guests.

Eggplant and Chicken Caponata Pizza

This eggplant recipe makes a great lunch or dinner (or late-night snack). Fresh eggplant, shredded chicken, and salty capers create a delicious and surprising topping for pizza. Use frozen homemade pizza dough or store-bought dough for an even faster meal.

Matt Romero’s Eggplant “Sandwiches”

A sandwich without bread might not sound like much of a sandwich, but when you replace standard bread slices with slabs of thick, fried eggplant, the result is rather delicious. Stuff beefsteak tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and goat cheese crumbles in the middle, and you've got a satiating vegetarian sandwich alternative.

Greek Lamb Burgers With Baked Eggplant Fries

Alongside this delicious burger recipe comes eggplant fries, which are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The key to coating these fries is a bath in frothed egg whites and then a toss in panko, or Japanese breadcrumbs. It's easy but with complex flavors—arguably, the best recipe for entertaining.

Grilled Eggplant Salad

Let the eggplant shine in this simple grilled salad recipe. To avoid any bitterness, choose young, smaller eggplants that don't have a lot of seeds. This recipe utilizes more fresh summer produce, but feel free to substitute vegetables depending on the season.

Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta

This elegant eggplant tart recipe is easy, fresh, and incredibly flavorful. The thinly sliced eggplant melts into the buttery pastry, and the thin slices of lemon brighten up every bite—and did we mention the feta? This flavorful tart is the star of any dinner party as a veggie main dish or sliced into small squares for a bite-sized appetizer.

Eggplant Panzanella

A panzanella is a traditional Italian salad featuring cubes of deliciously grilled bread. While it's hard to beat that, this version's protein-packed kale and meaty eggplant chunks make it filling enough for dinner.

And don't sleep on the lemony vinaigrette and juicy cherry tomatoes, which give this salad plenty of fresh, acidic notes. Plus, we love that the whole thing is tied together with shaved Manchego cheese and fresh dill.

Miso Eggplant Dip

If you're a fan of dips, you've probably had baba ganoush, and while this dip is similar, we'd argue it may be tastier than the Middle Eastern classic. It combines baba ganoush with the umami flavor of miso eggplant.

To make this flavorful dip, blitz the flesh of a roasted eggplant with miso paste, nutty tahini, mirin, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. The result is a rich dip you'll want to make again and again. Serve with crackers, crudités, and everything in between.

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad

Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combined with fresh tomatoes, chewy pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant make this a perfectly satisfying (and healthy) lunch or dinner. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, so make extra and eat well all week.

Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts

For days when you're craving an eggplant sandwich, this open-faced melt will do the trick. Grilling thick slices of country bread and melting mozzarella over the top elevates the humble sammie into an elegant meal you would be proud to serve anyone (or keep all to yourself).

Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry

While summer squash is the star of this vegetarian stir fry, half-moons of Japanese eggplant help make this spicy dish extra hearty. The meal, which riffs off Kung Pao, features a savory cornstarch-soy sauce that thickens around the crisp summer veggies.

It also includes spicy red jalapeño and crushed red pepper flakes, adding some serious heat. To ensure the vegetables don't get soggy, go ahead and sear them in batches. This way, you'll be left with tender, golden-brown pieces.

Eggplant-Mushroom "Meatballs"

Yes, it's possible to make meatballs without actual meat—and yes, the result is still delicious. In this vegan recipe, the toothsome combo of eggplants and mushrooms helps ensure that these meatballs still deliver the familiar texture you know and love.

Rolled oats and brown rice help bind the meatballs together while giving the meal plenty of wholesome fiber. Throw in some garlic, parsley, and a shallot, and you get the perfect plant-based recipe for topping subs or salads.

Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini

Eggplant isn't as popular a salad ingredient as tomatoes, but that doesn't mean you should shy away from using this meaty nightshade in your next bowl of greens. In this recipe (which resembles a deconstructed baba ganoush), you've got broiled, seasoned eggplant, crispy pita pieces, and parsley leaves.

Everything is tied together with flavorful green tahini, which is as tasty as it is versatile. Trust us: You'll want to make extra to pair with everything from grain bowls to crudités.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta

Eggplant is joined by other colorful veggies in this dish (think bell peppers and cherry tomatoes) to create a vibrant summer meal. Eat it warm for dinner, or serve it at room temperature for your next picnic. Pro-tip: If you're extra hungry, toss in some fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta, or goat cheese crumbles.

Eggplant Dip With Feta and Crudités

If you want to impress guests at your next gathering, kick things off with this picture-perfect mezze platter. It's packed with feta cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables, but the undisputed star is the baba ganoush.

The savory roasted eggplant dip is creamy, smoky, and full of flavor. If you're feeling adventurous, sprinkle sumac spice over the dip for added tart, citrus-like notes.

Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry

Add a sliced chili to this vegetarian stir-fry for a boost of heat. Though the recipe suggests white rice, you can serve it with brown rice or noodles for a nutritious meal.

Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry

Eggplant's meaty texture makes it a true stir-fry star. Here, the hearty vegetable joins chicken breast pieces and scallions to create a quick and easy dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes. Toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, and teriyaki sauce help deliver that familiar stir-fry taste, while fluffy jasmine rice makes this dish a complete meal.

Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes and Basil

This vegetarian recipe combines eggplant, chickpeas, and tomatoes for a comforting meal. Serve with plain yogurt to balance the warming curry sauce in this fresh, summery dish. Full of protein and nutritious vegetables, make it a complete meal with rice.

Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan

Is there anything more satisfying than digging into a decadent plate of eggplant Parmesan after a long day? This version of the classic dish features layers of baked eggplant, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

The whole thing is topped with panko breadcrumbs, which get perfectly crispy after a trip to the oven. If you're searching for a family-friendly meal that takes roughly one hour to make, this is it!

Eggplant Parmesan Panini

For a take on eggplant parm that requires slightly less hands-on work, try the classic dish in panini form. To make this irresistible Italian sandwich, roast the eggplant slices until they're melt-in-your-mouth tender.

The eggplant is then joined by sliced tomato, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, and the whole thing is sandwiched between two slices of crispy ciabatta bread.

Roasted Baby Eggplant

Stuff the eggplant with lemons, garlic, and oregano to allow their intense flavors to permeate the entire dish. Top with Feta cheese when serving, and you have a delicious vegetable side dish or main entrée that's easy to make.

Ratatouille

This rustic French classic is chock-full of healthy summer veggies, including zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and (of course) eggplant. The wonderful part of this comforting, hearty dish is you can eat it as-is or serve it over toast, with eggs, or pasta.

Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew

Our take on traditional beef stew combines the beef with eggplant, onions, and bell peppers in a tomato sauce. Enjoy this slow-cooker recipe as-is, or serve it with couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for an even heartier meal.

Eggplant Torta Milanese

This Mexican-inspired torta recipe stuffs crispy eggplant, avocado, and Oaxaca cheese into a deliciously satisfying sandwich. If you're unable to find Oaxaca cheese, try substituting it with mozzarella.

Eggplant-and-Tomato Masala With Chickpeas

Inspired by the traditional Indian dish, this vegetarian masala recipe cooks in under 30 minutes. Canned chickpeas, eggplant, onions, and flavorful spices stew together for a tasty meal.

Eggplant Shepherd's Pie

Substituting eggplant for traditional beef, this vegetarian version of shepherd's pie is filling and comforting. Pair with red wine or a rich, dark beer for the perfect dinner.

Meatless Meatball Subs

Plant-based meatballs made of umami-filled mushrooms and savory eggplant are the key to these meatless subs. Top with marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil for a tasty lunch or dinner.

Summer's End Ratatouille

Say so long to summer with this colorful ratatouille made with bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and tomato. While it might seem like a lot of work to individually sauté each vegetable, we promise it’s worth it. The result is a massive batch of vegetables that keeps well for days. Serve alongside grilled meat, chicken, or fish for a delicious summer meal.

Cheesy Vegetable Pasta

What do you get when you combine pasta, vegetables, and cheese? This dish that everyone in the family is bound to love. Here, vitamin and antioxidant-rich eggplant, zucchini, and onion mingle with ziti and a combination of Feta and mozzarella cheeses, while oregano and mint bring those fresh notes.

Roasted Veggie Calzones

Eggplant acts as a meat-like stuffing for these veggie-packed calzones, which also feature zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion. The roasted and caramelized veggies combine with creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella for the full pizza-shop experience. A side dish of marinara sauce allows for lots of dipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What's the best way to cook eggplant?

  Eggplant is incredibly versatile, so the best way to cook it really depends on what kind of dish you’re in the mood for. Two eggplant cooking methods we love are baked and fried. For a healthier option, slice your eggplant into rounds, pop it in the oven, and bake it. Baked eggplant is tender, slightly sweet, and will absorb the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with, while fried eggplant (which is typically breaded) is crispy and less earthy than eggplant that has been baked or roasted.
  

• Why do you soak eggplant before cooking?

  While you don’t need to soak an eggplant before cooking it, doing so is often recommended if you’re planning to fry or sauté the nightshade. This is because eggplant can absorb a decent amount of liquid, including oil, when it is cooked. By soaking eggplant slices in lightly salted water for about 30 minutes before cooking it, which helps to break down the fruit’s cell walls, you can reduce the amount of oil the eggplant absorbs.
  

  Learn More:How to Cook Eggplant

• When is eggplant in season?

  Eggplant is in season from July through October, though depending on where you live, you may be able to find it year-round.