Savory Shiitake Eggplant Bake
Turn your impulse eggplant purchase into a delightful and comforting dish with this Savory Shiitake Eggplant Bake. This casserole is a healthier twist on classic eggplant Parmesan, featuring layers of golden-breaded eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and sautéed garlic, all enhanced by the earthy flavor of shiitake mushrooms. Perfect for a cozy dinner or meal prep, this recipe delivers delicious flavors without overwhelming calories, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
2
Servings
356
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium eggplant
1 (sliced into rounds)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (for breading)
low-fat milk
1/2 cup (for soaking)
canned tomato sauce
29 ounces (for the sauce)
dried shiitake mushrooms
1 ounce (crumbled)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for sautéing and drizzling)
garlic cloves
10 (9 cloves roasted whole, 1 clove crushed for sauce)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for flavor)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (for heat)
oregano
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
sugar
3 tablespoons (to balance acidity)
parmesan cheese
2 ounces (grated for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Slice the eggplant into rounds, about 1/2-inch thick. Dip each round into the low-fat milk, then coat with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Place the breaded eggplant on a lightly greased cookie sheet and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3
Create a foil pouch with the 9 garlic cloves, drizzling them with olive oil before sealing the pouch. Bake the eggplant and garlic for at least 30 minutes or until the eggplant is soft, flipping the rounds halfway through.
4
While the eggplant and garlic are baking, prepare the sauce. In a large saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the crushed garlic clove until fragrant, then stir in the crushed red pepper flakes.
5
Add the canned tomato sauce, salt, cracked black pepper, oregano, sugar, and crumbled dried shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, while the eggplant finishes baking.
6
Once the eggplant is tender, remove it from the oven and carefully unwrap the foil pouch with the roasted garlic. Assemble the casserole in a small oven-safe non-stick skillet or casserole dish: start with a layer of 1/3 of the tomato sauce, followed by all of the roasted garlic, half of the eggplant rounds, and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese.
7
Repeat the process with another layer of eggplant, another 1/3 of the sauce, and the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
8
Finally, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake the assembled casserole for 45 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
9
Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Savory Shiitake Eggplant Bake!
Nutrition Information
11.5g
Fat
48g
Carbs
16g
Protein
8g
Fiber
7g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Shiitake Eggplant Bake?
It is a comforting, healthier twist on classic eggplant Parmesan featuring golden-breaded eggplant, rich tomato sauce, roasted garlic, and earthy shiitake mushrooms.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to yield 2 servings.
Is this eggplant bake vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses plant-based ingredients and parmesan cheese.
What are the primary ingredients for this dish?
The main ingredients include medium eggplant, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, low-fat milk, canned tomato sauce, dried shiitake mushrooms, and garlic cloves.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 356 calories.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
One serving contains 11.5 grams of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 16 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 48 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the fiber content of this eggplant bake?
This recipe provides 8 grams of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
There are 7 grams of sugar per serving.
What temperature should the oven be for the initial bake?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for the first step.
How thick should I slice the eggplant?
The eggplant should be sliced into rounds approximately 1/2-inch thick.
How do I bread the eggplant rounds?
Dip each eggplant round into low-fat milk, then coat them with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
How long do the eggplant and garlic bake initially?
They should bake for at least 30 minutes, or until the eggplant is soft.
How do I prepare the roasted garlic?
Place 9 garlic cloves in a foil pouch, drizzle with olive oil, seal the pouch, and bake along with the eggplant.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
A total of 10 garlic cloves are used: 9 for roasting and 1 crushed for the sauce.
What goes into the tomato sauce?
The sauce includes olive oil, crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, canned tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, sugar, and crumbled dried shiitakes.
Why is sugar used in the sauce?
Sugar is added to the sauce to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
How should the dried shiitake mushrooms be handled?
The dried shiitake mushrooms should be crumbled and added directly into the sauce to simmer.
What is the final baking temperature?
The oven temperature should be reduced to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for the final stage.
How long does the assembled casserole bake?
The assembled dish needs to bake for 45 minutes until it is bubbly and golden on top.
How do I layer the casserole?
Start with 1/3 of the sauce, then all the roasted garlic, half the eggplant, and 1/3 of the parmesan. Repeat the eggplant and sauce, finishing with parmesan.
What type of dish is best for baking?
You can use a small oven-safe non-stick skillet or a standard casserole dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the recipe description notes that it is perfect for meal prep.
Is this a low-fat recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as low-fat and uses low-fat milk and a moderate amount of olive oil.
What kind of mushrooms are used?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 ounce of dried shiitake mushrooms.
What spices provide heat to the dish?
Crushed red pepper flakes are added to the sauce to provide a bit of heat.
Can I use fresh oregano?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of oregano; while it implies dried, you can adjust as needed for fresh flavor.
Should I flip the eggplant during the first bake?
Yes, the rounds should be flipped halfway through the initial 30-minute baking period.
Do I need to let it cool before serving?
Yes, it is recommended to let the casserole cool slightly before serving to allow the layers to set.