Savory Stuffed Eggplant with Sausage and Mozzarella Delight
This flavorful dish features tender eggplant boats filled with a savory blend of smoked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Topped with luscious mozzarella cheese and accompanied by a rich homemade tomato sauce, this dish offers a delightful harmony of tastes and textures. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe brings the wholesome warmth of comfort food to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggplants
1600 g (4 small eggplants, halved and cored)
onion
1/2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (chopped)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
smoked sausage
200 g (chopped in a food processor)
tomato puree
1/4 cup
pizza seasoning
1/2 tablespoon
ground black pepper
1 teaspoon
mozzarella cheese
250 g (sliced)
tomato paste
4 tablespoons (for sauce)
water
1/2 cup (for sauce)
red wine
1/4 cup (for sauce)
sea salt
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
sugar
1/2 tablespoon (for sauce, optional)
dried basil
1/2 tablespoon (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
2
Slice each eggplant in half lengthwise. With a spoon, carefully remove the flesh from the center of the eggplant halves, leaving a 1/4 inch rim around each. Reserve 100 g of the scooped-out flesh for later use.
3
Arrange the hollowed eggplant halves on a large baking sheet lined with silicone or parchment paper. Set aside.
4
Chop the reserved 100 g of eggplant flesh in a food processor and set aside.
5
In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and 2 of the garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are translucent.
6
Add the chopped sausage to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until browned.
7
Stir in the chopped eggplant flesh and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the eggplant pieces are softened. Remove from heat.
8
Mix in the tomato puree, pizza seasoning, and ground black pepper, stirring well to combine.
9
Evenly fill each eggplant half with the sausage mixture. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the stuffed eggplants. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
10
Remove from the oven and place slices of mozzarella cheese over each stuffed eggplant. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11
While the eggplants are baking, prepare the tomato sauce: In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the remaining 2 garlic cloves until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste, water, red wine, sea salt, sugar (if using), and dried basil until well combined. Simmer until slightly thickened.
12
Serve the stuffed baked eggplants hot or at room temperature, with a generous spoonful of the tomato sauce drizzled over the top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Stuffed Eggplant with Sausage and Mozzarella Delight?
This dish features tender eggplant boats filled with a savory blend of smoked sausage, sautéed vegetables, and aromatic herbs, topped with mozzarella cheese and a homemade tomato sauce.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) before baking the eggplants.
How many eggplants does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 4 small eggplants, which are halved and cored.
How do I prepare the eggplant boats?
Slice each eggplant in half lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the flesh, leaving a 1/4 inch rim around each.
How much of the eggplant flesh should be reserved for the filling?
Reserve 100 grams of the scooped-out eggplant flesh to chop and include in the filling.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 200 grams of smoked sausage, chopped in a food processor.
How do I prepare the reserved eggplant flesh for the filling?
Chop the reserved 100 grams of eggplant flesh in a food processor before sautéing it.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic for the filling?
Sauté the chopped onion and 2 of the garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until they are translucent.
How long should the sausage be cooked in the skillet?
Cook the chopped sausage for about 5 minutes until it is browned.
When do I add the chopped eggplant flesh to the filling mixture?
Stir in the chopped eggplant flesh after the sausage has browned and cook for another 5 minutes.
What seasonings are added to the sausage filling?
The filling is seasoned with 1/2 tablespoon of pizza seasoning and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
How long do the eggplants bake before adding cheese?
Bake the stuffed eggplant boats in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
What kind of cheese is used as a topping?
The recipe uses 250 grams of sliced mozzarella cheese.
How long does the cheese take to melt in the oven?
Return the eggplants to the oven for an additional 10 minutes after adding the cheese.
How do I know when the cheese is done?
The cheese is ready when it is melted and bubbly.
What are the ingredients for the homemade tomato sauce?
The sauce includes garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, water, red wine, sea salt, sugar (optional), and dried basil.
How much red wine is needed for the sauce?
Use 1/4 cup of red wine for the tomato sauce.
Is the sugar in the tomato sauce required?
No, the 1/2 tablespoon of sugar is optional for the sauce.
How many garlic cloves are used in the whole recipe?
A total of 4 garlic cloves are used: 2 for the filling and 2 for the tomato sauce.
How do I cook the tomato sauce?
Sauté garlic, stir in the remaining sauce ingredients, and simmer until slightly thickened.
Can I serve these eggplants at room temperature?
Yes, you can serve the stuffed baked eggplants hot or at room temperature.
How much olive oil is used in the recipe?
A total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil are used, divided between the filling, drizzling, and the sauce.
What should I use to line the baking sheet?
Line the large baking sheet with silicone or parchment paper.
What type of salt is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt for the sauce.
How thick should the eggplant walls be after coring?
You should leave a 1/4 inch rim around each eggplant half.
How much tomato puree is in the filling?
The filling uses 1/4 cup of tomato puree.
What herb is used in the sauce?
1/2 tablespoon of dried basil is used to flavor the tomato sauce.
How is the sausage prepared before cooking?
The smoked sausage should be chopped in a food processor.
How much tomato paste is used for the sauce?
The sauce requires 4 tablespoons of tomato paste.
What is the total preparation and cook time?
While prep time varies, the total baking time is 40 minutes plus the time needed for sautéing and simmering.