Mediterranean Eggplant with Meat Sauce

This Mediterranean Eggplant with Meat Sauce has a rich and savory texture. We prepare this eggplant with eggplants, ground beef, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, oregano, basil, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. This eggplant contains approximately 320 calories and 26 grams of protein. We make this eggplant in about one hour. This Mediterranean Eggplant with Meat Sauce is ideal for Mediterranean diets, low-carb lifestyles, clean eating plans, high-protein meals, cozy dinners, wholesome family dinners, weekly meal prep, nutritious home-cooked meals, and healthy comfort food cravings. We can store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of four days and freeze it for nearly three months, so you can prepare it earlier. You can serve this eggplant with Greek salad, tabbouleh, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, lemon herb rice, or warm pita bread.

STATS:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Course: Main Course
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Serving Size: 1½ cups
• Servings: 6
• Cooking Mode: Baking & Stovetop
• Difficulty: Easy

TOOLS:

• Oven
• Sheet
• Baking dish
• Spoons
• Skillet
• Knife
• cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons

INGREDIENTS:

EGGPLANT:

• 2 eggplants
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

MEAT SAUCE:

• 1 lb ground beef
• One onion
• Three pieces of garlic
• One can of crushed tomatoes
• One-fourth tsp. black pepper
• Tomato paste, two tbsp.
• One teaspoon of oregano
• Basil, one tsp.
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp parsley

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• Feta cheese
• Fresh parsley or mint

INGREDIENT NOTES:

EGGPLANT:

Eggplant gives a soft, creamy texture and absorbs all the rich Mediterranean flavors. As a substitute, you can use zucchini, mushrooms, or sweet potato.

BEEF:

Beef adds a rich, hearty protein base for the sauce. As another option, we could utilize lamb, turkey, chicken, or plant-based mince.

CRUSHED TOMATOES:

Crushed tomatoes create a rich and tangy sauce base. Alternatively, you can use fresh tomatoes or tomato puree.

ONION:

Onion provides natural sweetness and depth of flavor in the sauce. Instead, you can use shallots or leeks.

OLIVE OIL:

Olive oil adds a classic Mediterranean richness and healthy fats. You may also use avocado oil as an alternative.

FETA CHEESE:

Feta cheese adds a salty, tangy Mediterranean finish to the dish. As substitutes, you can use goat cheese or dairy-free cheese.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Warm the empty oven to 400°Fahrenheit.
2. Garnish the eggplant slices with pepper, olive oil, and salt.
3. Roast them till they become softer and golden, for almost twenty-five minutes.
4. Cook the onion with the warmed olive oil in a pan till softer.
5. Include the garlic and cook it perfectly.
6. Then put the ground beef & brown it
7. Include spices, paste, tomatoes, and herbs.
8. Slowly cook them for almost fifteen minutes.
9. Lastly, include the parsley.
10. Put the eggplant in a dish and include the meat sauce on the surface.
11. Make more layers and wrap them using foil.
12. Bake for almost fifteen minutes at 375°Fahrenheit.
13. Leave them to sit for almost five minutes,
14. Include herbs and feta cheese as a garnish.
15. Serve these eggplants hot.

TIPS:

• Utilize lean meat to get a lighter version.
• Before roasting, you can salt the eggplant for a perfect texture.
• Before eating, leave this eggplant to sit for some time.
• Slowly cook the sauce for an extra time to get a deeper flavor.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH SIDES:

• Greek salad
• Cucumber tomato salad
• Tabbouleh
• Fattoush salad
• Lemon herb slaw

WARM DISHES:

• Roasted potatoes
• Garlic sautéed spinach
• Grilled zucchini
• Herb rice pilaf
• Baked sweet potatoes

BREADS & WRAPS:

• Warm pita bread
• Garlic naan
• Whole wheat flatbread
• Rustic sourdough slices
• Lavash bread
• PROTEINS:
• Grilled chicken skewers
• Lamb kebabs
• Garlic butter shrimp
• Baked salmon fillet
• Turkey meatballs

DRINKS:

• Mint lemonade
• Cucumber-infused water
• Iced herbal tea
• Pomegranate juice
• Sparkling lemon water

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Store this eggplant in a closed container for no more than four days.

FREEZER:

• Store this eggplant for nearly two to three months.

FAQs:

Could we include cheese?

• Yes, you can use mozzarella or feta cheese.

Will we prepare this eggplant earlier?

• Yes, you can assemble this eggplant earlier, as it refrigerates for almost four days.

May we utilize lamb?

• Yes, you can use lamb, as it will enrich the flavor.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS:

Calories: 320 kcal

Sodium: 540 mg

Net Carbs: 10 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 7 g

Fat: 18 g

Protein: 26 g

Total Carbs: 15 g

Serving Size: 1½ cups