Eggplant with Three Cheeses and Pesto
Eggplant with pesto and cheese on dish
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Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: eggplant,, Vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 553kcal
Author: Chef Bill Collins

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant, cut into ½ inch slices
  • olive oil
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 12 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp water
  • olive oil (for the pan)
  • ½ lb fresh mozzarella or 4-8 slices provolone cheese
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
  • salt and pepper
  • ¼ – ½ cup pesto (recipe below)

Pesto

  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 2 cups basil leaves, washed and dried
  • ¼ cup pine nuts (or other nuts, toasted if possible)
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°. Lightly brush an 8” x 8” pan with olive oil and set aside. Separately, set aside a sheet pan
  • Line the sheet pan with aluminum foil, with the foil overhanging the sides, and brush the foil with olive oil. Place the eggplant slices on the foil, and brush each slice lightly with oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper
  • Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and carefully fold the foil in half over the eggplant, and crimp the edges together, so that the eggplant is sealed inside the foil and will continue to steam and soften. Leave for at least 15-20 minutes
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 375°
  • While the eggplant is baking, combine the egg, ricotta, oregano, water, and a sprinkle each of salt and pepper. Set aside
  • Place half of the eggplant in the bottom of the prepared 8” x 8” pan. Cover with half of the fresh mozzarella, and half of the ricotta mixture. Cover with half of the parmesan cheese. Repeat this once more, using the remaining ingredients except the pesto
  • Place this in the oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly
  • Place servings onto plates, and drizzle with pesto

Pesto

  • In a food processor or blender, process the garlic until it’s minced 
  • Add the basil, and process until it’s chopped into small pieces. Add the pine nuts, and pulse chop until the nuts are very small pieces
  • Slowly add the olive oil until combined
  • Add the parmesan, and process until it’s combined
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper

Notes

If the pesto is bitter, add (any or all):
  • sun dried tomatoes
  • parsley
  • cilantro
  • anchovies (or anchovy paste)
  • roasted peppers
Makes approximately 1 ¾ – 2 cups
Nutrition Facts
Eggplant with Three Cheeses and Pesto
Amount per Serving
Calories
553
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
47
g
72
%
Saturated Fat
 
16
g
100
%
Trans Fat
 
0.003
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
20
g
Cholesterol
 
101
mg
34
%
Sodium
 
686
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
369
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
1347
IU
27
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
506
mg
51
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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