Description
This Baked Eggplant Spinach and Ricotta Casserole is a flavorful and hearty vegetarian dish. With layers of tender eggplant, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and rich marinara sauce, it’s perfect for a comforting dinner. Finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this dish will become a favorite for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 eggplants, peeled and sliced into rounds
- Salt (for soaking and seasoning)
- Water (for soaking)
- Olive oil (for brushing and cooking)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 140 grams spinach (5 oz)
- 4 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese (7 oz), shredded
- 200 ml marinara sauce (about 1 cup)
- 40 grams Parmesan cheese (1.5 oz), grated
Instructions
- Prepare the Eggplants:
- Slice the eggplants into rounds, then place them in a bowl of water with a pinch of salt. Let them soak for 10 minutes to remove bitterness.
- After soaking, pat the eggplants dry with a paper towel to remove any excess water.
- Bake the Eggplants:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with dried basil.
- Place the eggplants on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, until they are tender and slightly golden.
- Prepare the Spinach Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix the spinach, ricotta, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs. Set aside.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Place a layer of baked eggplant slices at the bottom of the dish.
- Spread half of the spinach and ricotta mixture over the eggplant.
- Add a layer of sliced tomatoes and sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Pour a few spoonfuls of marinara sauce over the mozzarella.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
- Finish with a top layer of eggplant slices and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the Casserole:
- Bake in the preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy this flavorful, cheesy dish as a main course or side dish.
- Prep Time: 20mins
- Cook Time: 50mins