FoodWithEggplant.com is the online outlet for Yoni Segal. I am a chef that creates and shares original recipes from my own kitchen. My goal is to build a bigger audience for the recipes I am working on and to share them with others. Recipes range from Israeli, Kosher, and Vegetarian dishes to Italian inspired food.
Food With Eggplant
Of all the vegetable recipes I post, eggplant recipes are the most divisive. Early on, this surprised me, because eggplant recipes have always been some of my favorite foods to eat. As a kid, I never wanted to stop playing at dinnertime, except when my mom was making eggplant Parmesan. And when I started to explore vegetarian cooking on my own, grilled eggplant was one of the first dishes I mastered.
But if I’ve learned one thing through writing Love and Lemons, it’s that not everyone likes eggplant. I’ve heard it called spongy, bitter, and bland, and to that I say, “Valid!” If it’s not prepared well, it can be all those things. But when it’s done right, it’s delicious. Plus, its character totally transforms depending on how you cook it. It might be meaty and smoky coming off the grill, rich and silky after it cooks in the oven, or crisp on the outside and tender in the middle after a few minutes on the stove. Sure, you don’t like it one way, but if you cooked it differently, you could love it!
In short, I hope all you eggplant skeptics will give this controversial veggie another chance. To get you started, I’m sharing 12 easy eggplant recipes below. They include bright summer pastas, fresh grilling recipes, cozy casseroles, and everything in between. Throw caution to the wind, and have fun exploring these tasty eggplant recipes! I bet you’ll find one you love.
Grilled Eggplant Recipes
Of all the different kinds of eggplant recipes out there, grilled eggplant recipes will always be my favorite. I love how the outside of the eggplant gets nicely charred, while the inside becomes silky smooth.
Grilled Eggplant
When I was first learning to cook vegetables, grilled eggplant was one of my favorite things to make. It’s not hard to see why: it’s super easy, and it’s absolutely delicious! Enjoy it as a side dish on its own, or take it to the next level by piling a fresh couscous salad on top.
Grilled Ratatouille Tartines
When it’s too hot to stand over a pot of ratatouille on the stove, I make these grilled ratatouille tartines instead! Pair them with your favorite rosé, and your guests (and you) won’t be able to get enough.
Zucchini Lemon Orzo
In late summer, I could eat this vibrant orzo pasta every night! It gets its bold, fresh flavor from simple ingredients like lemon, feta cheese, pine nuts, and grilled eggplant and zucchini.
Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant, page 179 of Love & Lemons Every Day
No grill? No worries! You can make this recipe two ways: on the stove and in the oven. In the grilled version, I stir fresh basil and arugula into the bulgur filling, and in the baked version, I smother the stuffed eggplant with crispy panko and pecorino cheese. Both ways are delicious!
Grilled Eggplant Pasta, page 139 of The Love & Lemons Cookbook
This grilled veggie pasta is the perfect meal for a slow summer night. It packs a huge punch of flavor, but it comes together in minutes. Grill the veggies while you cook the pasta. Then, toss them with fresh basil, sherry vinegar, and pickled onions for pop! Dinner=solved.
Baked Eggplant Recipes
Cooking eggplant in the oven shows off its versatility. Chop it up and roast it briefly, until it’s golden brown and tender, or bake it whole, until it collapses to the touch. You’ll find both of these approaches in the baked eggplant recipes below.
Eggplant Parmesan
My lighter riff on my mom’s classic recipe! Instead of frying the eggplant slices, I bake them with a panko and Parmesan coating. When they’re golden brown and crisp, I layer them with homemade marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil to create a comforting, crave-worthy dish.
Baba Ganoush
Nope, that’s not hummus! It’s baba ganoush – a smoky, silky eggplant dip. It’s best enjoyed with fresh pita and crunchy veggies, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself standing at the counter, eating it out of the food processor with a spoon.
Eggplant Recipes You’ll Want to Eat Every Day
Eggplant Parmigiana
Filled with a trio of cheeses, a mouthwatering homemade red sauce and crispy fried eggplant rounds, Alex Guarnaschelli’s vegetarian dish gives any meat-filled Parm a run for its money. She admits she’d eat this for her last meal on Earth — how can you argue with that?
Moussaka on the Grill
Craving hearty comfort food while trying to make the most of grilling season? Michael Symon’s got just the recipe.
No-Fry Sheet Pan Eggplant Parmesan
Skip the messy process of frying eggplant and bake it on a sheet pan instead. The thick slices get the same crisp exterior and soft interior, but you’ll use a lot less oil.
Eggplant Crisp with Walnut Streusel
Top creamy eggplant with a crunchy walnut streusel for a side dish that’s great for a late summer dinner. Got leftovers? Scoop some into a pita and add sliced cucumber and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Instant Pot Indian Spicy Eggplant
Inspired by the flavorful eggplant dish bhartha, this easy version skips the lengthy roasting and peeling steps and instead uses an instant pot to pre-cook the eggplant in 20 minutes.
The Best Ratatouille
Summer delivers a bounty of fresh vegetables all at once and we scramble to use them up before they become scarce again. This southern French staple is the perfect way to get all your summer goodies into one dish, eggplant included!
Eggplant Parmesan
The layers of eggplant, Parmesan, mozzarella and marinara in this dish are definitely crave-worthy, but you’ll love the quick marinara so much we know you’ll be making it again and again. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days or store in the freezer for two months.
Moussaka
This five-star recipe has rave reviews from Food Network fans. They call it “super yummy” and rave that it’s a hit at dinner parties and the family table alike.
Farfalle with Eggplant Yogurt Sauce
Who could say no to a big bowl of bowtie pasta, tossed with a fresh herbed-yogurt sauce and topped with roasted eggplant and tomatoes?
Baked Eggplant and Pancetta Pasta
An easy, cheesy baked pasta, made with spiral cavatappi, tomato sauce, eggplant and pancetta? Now, that’s a dinner the whole family will love!