15 Eggplant Recipes That Will Kill It on Meatless Monday
When it comes to bringing more plant-based dishes into our weekly meal rotation, we all have our go-to veggies. Sweet potatoes continue to hog the spotlight with their hearty texture and sweet flavor, while squash dominates the chilly-weather soup scene. There is *one* fabulous veg, however, that doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves — and that’s the eggplant. This purple gem is high in dietary fiber and soaks up flavors like no other. If you’re yet to be convinced, let these 15 mouth-watering vegetarian eggplant recipes do the persuading.
1. Easy Eggplant Rollatini: When you’re craving Italian on Meatless Monday, all is not doomed — far from it, actually. This vegetarian dish brings oven-fried eggplant to the table, stuffed with a cheesy and herbaceous filling that will pair wonderfully with that bottle of vino. Perfetto! (via Dishing Delish)
2. Chinese Yu Xiang Eggplant: These Szechuan eggplants, often listed on a menu as “Chinese eggplant in hot garlic sauce,” will liven up your tastebuds with just one bite. In 20 minutes you can be digging into this glorious meal — quicker than waiting for takeout. (via China Sichuan Food)
3. One-Pot Eggplant, Pumpkin and Chickpea Curry: Due to ease of prep and lack of clean-up, one-pot meals are what weeknights are all about. This bright and belly-warming curry brings a nutrient-packed seasonal blend to the table with pumpkin, chickpeas and hearty eggplant. (via Heavenlynn Healthy)
4. Aubergine With Bulgur Wheat and Tahini: It’s hard to beat good food that’s topped with piles of more good food — and that’s exactly what is happening with these yummy eggplants. After marinating in a spice rub and being roasted until tender, these bad boys are buried beneath a bulgur wheat salad and drizzled with a tahini sauce. (via Lazy Cat Kitchen)
5. Roasted Red Pepper, Eggplant and Goat Cheese Pizza: If you’re new to eggplant and feeling slightly intimidated, just throw it on some pizza. After all, pizza makes everything better, and when you’ve got roasted red peppers and goat cheese to accompany that eggplant, you simply can’t go wrong. (via Port and Fin)
6. Creamy Pumpkin and Burnt Aubergine Soup With Za’atar: This spicy and warming soup is all that your chilly winter evenings need. Charred eggplant brings the perfect level of smokiness to this soup to balance out the sweetness from the pumpkin. Grab a hunk of fresh bread and dig in! (via Lucky Star Anise)
7. Eggplant Parm Baked Potatoes: This meal is the poster meal for comfort food. Stuffed with crispy fried eggplant and gooey mozzarella, these stuffed spuds will make sure you never look at a regular ol’ baked potato the same again. (via A Beautiful Mess)
8. Miso Glazed Eggplant: Nothing can top a bed of fluffy rice better than tender roasted Japanese eggplant slathered in miso sauce. The level of umami in this dish is incredible, and you’ll be craving this melt-in-your-mouth recipe weekly. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
9. Shakshuka With Smokey Eggplant: This irresistible shakshuka poaches eggs in a flavorful blend of charred eggplant, smokey peppers and tangy tomatoes. It makes for an impressive brunch dish, but it’s also the best excuse to indulge in that whole breakfast for dinner thing. (via Wild Greens and Sardines)
10. Spicy Grilled Eggplant With Red Pepper, Parsley and Mint: If you’re aiming to get back on track after all of that holiday eating, this spicy grilled eggplant is exactly what you’re looking for. Without robbing you of flavor, this dish is low-carb, Paleo, Whole30 and South Beach Diet-approved. (via Kalyn’s Kitchen)
11. Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao): Wholesome veggies and tender noodles slathered in a swoon-worthy sauce — who could pass on that? This bowl of goodness offers so much flavor, your skeptical family won’t even notice the eggplant they claimed they’d never eat. (via The Maker Makes)
12. Eggplant Parmesan Pasta Skillet: So you’re hankering for a plateful of eggplant Parmesan, but you have a bad case of the Mondays and a one-pot meal is the obvious way to go. Good news! There’s a dish for that exact situation. This skillet pasta brings the elements of eggplant Parm into a quick and easy no-fuss meal. (via Cook Nourish Bliss)
13. Eggplant and Quinoa Indian Fare With Naan Bread: Every once in a while, comfort food can fall on the healthy side. This hearty combo of eggplant and quinoa is amped up with aromatic Indian spices and garlicky goodness. Serve it with some warm naan bread and fall into a state of total happiness. (via Lemons and Basil)
14. Miso Glazed Eggplant: Miso lovers are going to go bananas over these tender umami-slathered roasted eggplants. Topped with scallions, coriander, sesame seeds and spicy chili, this dish just made Meatless Monday a little more interesting. (via My Little Larder)
15. Eggplant Parm Rice Casserole: If you’re feeding a lot of mouths, this tasty and cheesy casserole is the way to go. The essence of eggplant Parm shines bright in this crowd-pleaser, and it will very likely change your family’s opinion on eggplant for good. (via The Iron You)
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