Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls: A Cozy Delight

If you’re anything like me, you probably appreciate a good recipe that warms your heart. These Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls are a hug in a dish, perfect for any weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend gathering. When I first tried these, I was genuinely surprised by how easy they were to make and how delightful the flavors turned out. Let me take you through this fun and tasty journey!

What Are Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls?

Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls are like little parcels of joy filled with creamy cheeses and tender eggplant. They boast a lovely mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, all wrapped up snugly in roasted eggplant slices. It sounds fancy, but trust me, it’s super simple and completely comforting. Plus, the marinara sauce brings everything together beautifully. You might just want to make this your new go-to dish!

Ingredients Overview for Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls

To whip up these scrumptious rolls, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s what you will need:

Eggplant: Provides the base for this dish. Look for firm, shiny ones without blemishes.
Ricotta Cheese: Creamy and slightly sweet, it’s the perfect filling base.
Mozzarella Cheese: Adds that melty goodness we all love!
Parmesan Cheese: Provides a nutty flavor that elevates the dish.
Marinara Sauce: A rich sauce that makes everything more delicious.
Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better, right?
Spinach: A healthy touch that adds flavor and color.
Salt: For seasoning.
Pepper: A dash for that little kick.
Olive Oil: Helps to roast the eggplant and adds richness.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls

Let’s dive into the simple steps you’ll need to follow for these eggplant rolls. I promise, they’re fun to make!

Prepare the Eggplant: Slice the eggplant lengthwise into thin strips. Lightly salt them and let sit for about 30 minutes. This helps to draw out some moisture, making them tender. After 30 minutes, just rinse off the salt and pat the slices dry.
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for roasting.
Roast the Eggplant: Arrange the eggplant slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and roast for about 20 minutes. You want them to be tender and slightly browned.
Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, grated parmesan, minced garlic, spinach, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed.
Roll Them Up: Once the eggplant slices are ready, place a spoonful of the cheese mixture at one end of each slice and roll it tightly.
Prepare for Baking: Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the eggplant rolls seam-side down and pour more marinara sauce on top.
Top It Off: Sprinkle any remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the rolls to make them extra cheesy.
Bake: Cover the dish with foil and pop it in the oven for about 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let It Cool: Give it a few minutes to cool before diving in. You want to savor every cheesy bite!

Serving Suggestions

Now that your Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls are ready, you might be wondering how to serve them. I love to pair them with a light salad—a simple arugula or mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette works wonders! You could also serve them alongside some crusty bread to soak up that marinara sauce. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Tips for the Perfect Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls

Be Generous with the Salting: Letting your eggplant sit with salt helps to remove excess moisture, making your rolls perfectly tender.
Don’t Skip the Marinara: It adds moisture and flavor, so make sure to layer it generously.
Extra Cheese: If you love cheese (who doesn’t?), feel free to load up a little more on the mozzarella and parmesan.
Customize the Filling: If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in other chopped veggies or herbs into the cheese mixture!

Q&A Section

1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare them and store them in the fridge for a day before baking.

2. Can I freeze the rolls?
Yes! Just assemble and freeze before baking. When you’re ready, bake from frozen; you may need to add extra cooking time.

3. What can I use instead of ricotta?
Cottage cheese is a great substitute if you’re looking for something similar.

4. Can I add meat to this dish?
Certainly! Adding some cooked ground meat to the cheese mixture can make it even heartier.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

These Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls are not just about filling your belly; they’re about bringing comfort and joy. The combination of creamy cheese, soft eggplant, and zesty marinara creates a symphony of flavors in every bite. Whether you’re sharing with friends or enjoying a night in, this dish is bound to make you smile.

My Journey with Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls

When I first set out to make these rolls, I had a bit of a disaster with the eggplant releasing too much moisture, making it soggy. But after some experimenting with salting, it was a game-changer. Now, I can’t believe how satisfying this recipe turned out! Each batch just gets better and better, and I love tweaking little things here and there. It’s become a favorite in my kitchen, and I hope it finds a happy place in yours too!

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Deliciously Cheesy Eggplant Rolls

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Author: melissa
Total Time: 65 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A cozy dish featuring tender eggplant stuffed with creamy cheeses and topped with marinara sauce, perfect for any dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 large Eggplant
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
2 cups Marinara Sauce
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Spinach, chopped
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons Olive Oil

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Instructions

Prepare the Eggplant: Slice the eggplant lengthwise into thin strips. Lightly salt them and let sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Roast the Eggplant: Drizzle eggplant slices with olive oil and roast for about 20 minutes.
Mix the Filling: Combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, spinach, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Roll Them Up: Place a spoonful of filling at one end of each eggplant slice and roll tightly.
Prepare for Baking: Spread marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish, place eggplant rolls seam-side down, and pour more sauce on top.
Top It Off: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan over the rolls.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Let It Cool: Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, be generous with salting the eggplant to remove moisture.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll
Calories: 350
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 40mg