Blog and Recipes

Eggplant Lassagna

December 7, 2022

Ingredients for 10-12 servings

2 large eggplants
1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
Avocado or olive oil, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 pounds 90/10 ground beef or preferred ground meat (omit for vegetarian version) add salt and pepper to taste
28 oz crushed San Marzano tomatoes or any other canned crushed tomato will do (2 cans)
6 leaves fresh basil, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 large egg
16 oz whole ricotta cheese, 1 container
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning can be oregano or Herbes de Provence mix

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut off the ends of the eggplant, then slice lengthwise about 1⁄8- inch (3-mm) thick.
Sprinkle the eggplant slices with sea salt on both sides and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid.
Lightly grease a griddle pan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Grill the eggplant slices for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until grill marks are visible. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-low heat, then add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, add the meat and stir until fully cooked. Add the crushed tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt, stirring well to incorporate the garlic and red pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, reducing the heat if the sauce begins to bubble too much. Add the basil and stir to combine. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat the egg, then add the ricotta, 1 1⁄2 cups (150 g) of mozzarella, 3⁄4 cup (80 g) of Parmesan, and the Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine.
Assemble the lasagna. In a 9×13-inch (23×33- cm) baking dish, add enough sauce to cover the bottom of the dish and spread in an even layer. Add a layer of eggplant slices, covering the bottom of the dish completely. It’s okay if the eggplant slices overlap slightly. Add a layer of the ricotta mixture and spread in a thin, even layer. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, finishing with a layer of sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Bake for 45 minutes, until cheese is fully melted.
Turn the broiler on high and broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese on top is browned and bubbly. Remove the lasagna from the oven and let rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to give the lasagna time to set.

Serve garnished with fresh basil.