Cheesy Italian Eggplant Bake
Experience the rich and satisfying flavors of our Cheesy Italian Eggplant Bake, a delectable low-carb twist on the traditional eggplant Parmesan. This dish stars fresh, garden-fresh eggplants layered between creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and a medley of cheeses, topped with flavorful hot Italian sausage. Perfect for those following a Keto diet, it's less greasy while still delivering a cheesy, hearty delight that will please everyone at the table. Serve it up alongside a green salad for a complete meal, or enjoy it as a tasty leftover for lunch the next day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggplant
2 (sliced into 1/4 inch slices)
Spaghetti sauce
32 ounces (jarred or homemade)
Mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Ricotta cheese
2 cups (full-fat)
Hot Italian sausage
1 lb (browned and crumbled)
Parmesan cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Eggs
3 (beaten)
Mixed Italian herbs
3 tablespoons (dried or fresh)
Black pepper
1 tablespoon (ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two large baking sheets with non-stick aluminum foil.
2
Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch thick slices. A home meat slicer works great to achieve uniform slices.
3
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with mixed Italian herbs and ground black pepper until well combined.
4
Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheets.
5
Using a basting brush, apply the egg mixture evenly over each eggplant slice.
6
Generously sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese over the coated eggplant slices for an extra cheesy flavor.
7
Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
8
While the eggplant is baking, brown the hot Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
9
Once the eggplant is finished, lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x13-inch casserole dish by lightly spraying it with cooking oil or olive oil.
10
Spread a small amount of spaghetti sauce at the bottom of the casserole dish to prevent sticking.
11
Layer the baked eggplant slices over the sauce to create the first layer.
12
On top of the eggplant, add another layer of spaghetti sauce, then sprinkle with the browned sausage and dollops of ricotta cheese.
13
Repeat the layers of eggplant, sauce, sausage, and ricotta until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of eggplant on top.
14
Top the final layer of eggplant with the remaining mozzarella cheese to create a cheesy crust.
15
Bake the assembled casserole at 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
16
Allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes before slicing to set. Serve warm and enjoy!
17
This dish keeps wonderfully, making it an ideal choice for leftovers!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Italian Eggplant Bake?
It is a low-carb and keto-friendly twist on traditional eggplant Parmesan, featuring layers of eggplant, ricotta, marinara, cheeses, and hot Italian sausage.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 eggs, which are beaten and mixed with herbs to coat the eggplant slices.
What is the recommended thickness for the eggplant slices?
Eggplant should be sliced into uniform 1/4-inch thick slices.
What oven temperature is used to initially bake the eggplant slices?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C) for the initial baking of the eggplant slices.
How long do the eggplant slices need to bake initially?
The eggplant slices should bake for 20-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Is this recipe suitable for a Keto diet?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be low-carb and keto-friendly.
What kind of sausage is used in this eggplant bake?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of hot Italian sausage, browned and crumbled.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
You will need 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Can I use a meat slicer for the eggplant?
Yes, using a home meat slicer is a great way to achieve uniform 1/4-inch slices of eggplant.
What type of ricotta cheese is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 2 cups of full-fat ricotta cheese.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
The recipe uses 32 ounces of spaghetti sauce, which can be either jarred or homemade.
What size casserole dish should be used?
A 9x13-inch casserole dish is the recommended size for this recipe.
What temperature should the oven be for the final bake?
For the final assembly, the oven temperature should be lowered to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the assembled casserole bake?
The assembled casserole bakes for an additional 20 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.
Should the eggplant be coated before baking?
Yes, eggplant slices are brushed with an egg and herb mixture and then sprinkled with Parmesan cheese before the first bake.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
As written, it contains hot Italian sausage; however, it can be made vegetarian by omitting the meat.
How many cups of Parmesan cheese are used?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded Parmesan cheese.
What herbs are included in the egg mixture?
The egg mixture includes 3 tablespoons of mixed Italian herbs, which can be dried or fresh.
How much black pepper is added to the mixture?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper.
Why do you put sauce at the bottom of the dish?
A small amount of sauce is spread at the bottom to prevent the eggplant from sticking to the dish.
What is the very last layer of the casserole?
The final layer is mozzarella cheese, which creates a cheesy crust on top.
How long should the casserole sit after baking?
It is recommended to let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.
What is a good side dish for this meal?
A fresh green salad is a perfect accompaniment for this hearty bake.
Is this dish good for meal prep?
Yes, this dish keeps very well and is an ideal choice for leftovers or lunch the next day.
How do you prepare the baking sheets for the eggplant?
Line two large baking sheets with non-stick aluminum foil to prevent sticking during the high-heat bake.
How do you apply the egg mixture to the eggplant?
Use a basting brush to apply the egg, herb, and pepper mixture evenly over each slice.
What order are the ingredients layered in the dish?
Layers consist of sauce, baked eggplant, more sauce, sausage, and ricotta, repeated until finished.
Does this recipe include any flour?
No, this recipe avoids traditional breading or flour, keeping it low-carb.
How many eggplants are needed?
The recipe requires 2 eggplants.
Can I use mild Italian sausage instead of hot?
Yes, you can substitute mild or sweet Italian sausage if you prefer less spice.