Description
A delicious vegetarian dish featuring rolled eggplant slices filled with ricotta and spinach, baked in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggplants
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup spinach, fresh or frozen (thawed and drained)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice the eggplants lengthwise into approximately 1/4-inch thick slices. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until soft but not mushy. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add the spinach and cook until wilted (if using fresh) or warmed through (if using frozen). In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, half the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Place a spoonful of the ricotta-spinach mixture on one end of each eggplant slice and roll up, securing with a toothpick if necessary. Arrange the rolls seam-side down in the baking dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the rolls and sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For a less bitter taste, you can salt the slices before baking. Lay them on a paper towel for about 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
- For extra flavor, try adding some feta cheese to the filling.
- A homemade marinara sauce can enhance the freshness and flavor.
- Fresh basil or parsley on top before serving adds a fresh touch and beautiful color contrast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rollatini