28 Easy Eggplant Recipes for Dinner, Lunch, and More

Try these eggplant ideas, including pizza, fries, salads, and sandwiches. (Seriously, this is one versatile vegetable.)

Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry Served on a Bed of White Rice, an easy eggplant recipe
Photo: JEN CAUSEY

With easy eggplant recipes like these, it's no wonder eggplant is the best multitasking vegetable. It's a healthy meat substitute and can be grilled, fried, or baked; it's also delicious roasted, stewed, or sautéed. Bonus: Learning how to cook eggplant is pretty easy if you start with these simple eggplant dishes and cooking methods.

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Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds

Slices of Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds on a Baking Sheet
Antonis Achilleos

In this Asian-inspired recipe, eggplants roast at high heat, making the outside skin crispy and the inside succulent. The rich miso dressing gives it a salty, umami flavor that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve alongside a piece of fish or meat for an easy and impressive meal.

02 of 28

Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini

Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini in a Baking Dish With a Metal Serving Spoon to the Right
Jonny Valiant

This twist on the popular eggplant parmesan dish calls for a ricotta mixture rolled inside each pre-baked eggplant slice before topping it with marinara sauce and freshly grated mozzarella. This eggplant meal has all the cheesy, saucy goodness you'd expect from lasagna without the heaviness of pasta noodles. Bake until browned and bubbly, then serve warm to guests.

03 of 28

Eggplant and Chicken Caponata Pizza

Eggplant and Chicken Caponata Pizza With One Slice Cut Out, Served on a Circular White Plate
Jen Causey

Here, fresh eggplant, shredded chicken, and salty capers create a delicious (and surprising) topping for pizza. This makes a great lunch or dinner. Use frozen homemade pizza dough or store-bought dough for a faster meal.

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Matt Romero’s Eggplant “Sandwiches”

Matt Romero’s Eggplant “Sandwich" With Tomato, Lettuce, and Cheese on a White Plate
Katherine Wolkoff

A sandwich without bread might not sound like much of a sandwich, but when you replace standard bread slices with slabs of thick, fried eggplant, the result is rather delicious. Stuff beefsteak tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and goat cheese crumbles in the middle, and you've got a satiating vegetarian sandwich alternative.

05 of 28

Greek Lamb Burgers With Baked Eggplant Fries

Greek Lamb Burgers With Baked Eggplant Fries, Served on Two White Plates, One Open Face
Greg DuPree

Alongside this delicious burger recipe comes eggplant fries, which are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The key to coating these fries is a bath in frothed egg whites and then a toss in panko, or Japanese breadcrumbs. It's easy but with complex flavors—arguably, the best recipe for entertaining.

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Grilled Eggplant Salad

Grilled Eggplant Salad With Tomatoes and Romaine Hearts
Andre Baranowski

Let the eggplant shine in this simple grilled salad recipe. To avoid any bitterness, choose young, smaller eggplants that don't have a lot of seeds. This recipe utilizes more fresh summer produce, but feel free to substitute vegetables depending on the season.

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Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta

Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta on a Table
Greg DuPree

This elegant eggplant tart recipe is easy, fresh, and incredibly flavorful. The thinly sliced eggplant melts into the buttery pastry, and the thin slices of lemon brighten up every bite—and did we mention the feta? This flavorful tart is the star of any dinner party as a veggie main dish or sliced into small squares for a bite-sized appetizer.

08 of 28

Eggplant Panzanella

Eggplant Panzanella on a White Plate With a Metal Fork for Eating
Andrew Purcell

A panzanella is a traditional Italian salad featuring cubes of deliciously grilled bread. While it's hard to beat that, this version's protein-packed kale and meaty eggplant chunks make it filling enough for dinner.

And don't sleep on the lemony vinaigrette and juicy cherry tomatoes, which give this salad plenty of fresh, acidic notes. Plus, we love that the whole thing is tied together with shaved Manchego cheese and fresh dill.

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Miso Eggplant Dip

Miso Eggplant Dip Served With Radishes and Crackers
Caitlin Bensel

If you're a fan of dips, you've probably had baba ganoush, and while this dip is similar, we'd argue it may be tastier than the Middle Eastern classic. It combines baba ganoush with the umami flavor of miso eggplant.

To make this flavorful dip, you'll blitz the flesh of a roasted eggplant with miso paste, nutty tahini, mirin, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. The result is a rich dip you'll want to make again and again. Serve with crackers, crudités, and everything in between.

10 of 28

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad in a Serving Bowl With a Metal Fork
Greg DuPree

Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combined with fresh tomatoes, chewy pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant make this a perfectly satisfying (and healthy) lunch or dinner. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, so make extra and eat well all week.

11 of 28

Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts

Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts, Served Open-Face With Greens
Charles Masters

For days when you're craving a sandwich, this open-faced melt will do the trick. Grilling thick slices of country bread and melting mozzarella over the top elevates the humble sammie into an elegant meal you would be proud to serve anyone (or keep all to yourself).

12 of 28

Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry

Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry With Eggplants, Served With White Rice on a White Plate
Greg DuPree

While summer squash is the star of this vegetarian stir fry, half-moons of Japanese eggplant help make this spicy dish extra hearty. The meal, which riffs off Kung Pao, features a savory cornstarch-soy sauce that thickens around the crisp summer veggies.

It also includes spicy red jalapeño and crushed red pepper flakes, adding some serious heat. To ensure the vegetables don't get soggy, go ahead and sear them in batches. This way, you'll be left with tender, golden-brown pieces.

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Eggplant-Mushroom "Meatballs"

Cooked Eggplant-Mushroom "Meatballs" in a White Skillet
Jennifer Causey

Yes, it's possible to make meatballs without actual meat—and yes, the result is still delicious. In this vegan recipe, the toothsome combo of eggplants and mushrooms helps ensure that these meatballs still deliver the familiar texture you know and love.

Rolled oats and brown rice help bind the meatballs together while giving the meal plenty of wholesome fiber. Throw in some garlic, parsley, and a shallot, and you get the perfect plant-based recipe for topping subs or salads.

14 of 28

Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini

Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini, Served on a White Plate With Half a Lemon
Jennifer Causey

Eggplant isn't as popular a salad ingredient as tomatoes, but that doesn't mean you should shy away from using this meaty nightshade in your next bowl of greens. In this recipe (which resembles a deconstructed baba ganoush), you've got broiled, seasoned eggplant, crispy pita pieces, and parsley leaves.

Everything is tied together with flavorful green tahini, which is as tasty as it is versatile. Trust us: You'll want to make extra to pair with everything from grain bowls to crudités.

15 of 28

Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta

Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta With Eggplant, Served in a Blue Bowl With a Metal Fork for Eating
Marcus Nilsson

Eggplant is joined by other colorful veggies in this dish (think bell peppers and cherry tomatoes) to create a vibrant summer meal. Eat it warm for dinner, or serve it at room temperature for your next picnic. Pro-tip: If you're extra hungry, toss in some fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta, or goat cheese crumbles.

16 of 28

Eggplant Dip With Feta and Crudités

Eggplant Dip in a Small Bowl Served With Feta and Crudités on a White Serving Platter
Victor Protasio

If you want to impress guests at your next gathering, kick things off with this picture-perfect mezze platter. It's packed with feta cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables, but the undisputed star is the baba ganoush.

The savory roasted eggplant dip is creamy, smoky, and full of flavor. If you're feeling adventurous, sprinkle sumac spice over the dip for added tart, citrus-like notes.

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Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry

Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry Served on a Bed of White Rice on a White Plate
José Picayo

Add a sliced chili to this vegetarian stir-fry for a boost of heat. Though the recipe suggests white rice, you can serve it with brown rice or noodles for a nutritious meal.

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Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry

Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry Served on a Bed of White Rice, an easy eggplant recipe
Jen Causey

Eggplant's meaty texture makes it a true stir-fry star. Here, the hearty vegetable joins chicken breast pieces and scallions to create a quick and easy dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes. Toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, and teriyaki sauce help deliver that familiar stir-fry taste, while fluffy jasmine rice makes this dish a complete meal.

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Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes and Basil

Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes, Basil, and Chickpeas, Served With White Rice on a White Plate
Con Poulos

This vegetarian recipe combines eggplant, chickpeas, and tomatoes for a comforting meal. Serve with plain yogurt to balance the warming curry sauce in this fresh, summery dish. Full of protein and nutritious vegetables, make it a complete meal with rice.

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Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan

Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan Served With a Side Salad on a White Plate
Paul Sirisalee

Is there anything more satisfying than digging into a decadent plate of eggplant Parmesan after a long day? This version of the classic dish features layers of baked eggplant, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

The whole thing is topped with panko breadcrumbs, which get perfectly crispy after a trip to the oven. If you're searching for a family-friendly meal that takes roughly one hour to make, this is it!

21 of 28

Eggplant Parmesan Panini

Two eggplant parmesan panini sandwiches on a wooden cutting board with a side salad in the background
Caitlin Bensel

For a take on eggplant parm that requires slightly less hands-on work, try the classic dish in panini form. To make this irresistible Italian sandwich, roast the eggplant slices until they're melt-in-your-mouth tender.

The eggplant is then joined by sliced tomato, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, and the whole thing is sandwiched between two slices of crispy ciabatta bread.

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Roasted Baby Eggplant

Two Roasted Baby Eggplants Served on a White Plate With a Metal Spoon
Amy Neunsinger

Stuff the eggplant with lemons, garlic, and oregano to allow their intense flavors to permeate the entire dish. Top with Feta cheese when serving, and you have a delicious vegetable side dish or main entrée that's easy to make.

23 of 28

Ratatouille

Ratatouille in a Red Cooking Pot
Maura McEvoy

This rustic French classic is chock-full of healthy summer veggies, including zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and (of course) eggplant. The wonderful part of this comforting, hearty dish is you can eat it as-is or serve it over toast, with eggs, or pasta.

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Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew

Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew Served With Couscous in a Bowl
Victor Protasio

Our take on traditional beef stew combines the beef with eggplant, onions, and bell peppers in a tomato sauce. Enjoy this slow-cooker recipe as-is, or serve it with couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for an even heartier meal.

25 of 28

Eggplant Torta Milanese

Table With an Eggplant Torta Milanese Served on a Plate Surrounded by a Glass of Water and a Small Plant
Victor Protasio

This Mexican-inspired torta recipe stuffs crispy eggplant, avocado, and Oaxaca cheese into a deliciously satisfying sandwich. If you're unable to find Oaxaca cheese, try substituting it with mozzarella.

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Eggplant-and-Tomato Masala With Chickpeas

Eggplant-and-Tomato Masala With Chickpeas on a Bed of White Rice Served on a White Plate With Metal-and-Wood Utensils for Eating
Antonis Achilleos

Inspired by the traditional Indian dish, this vegetarian masala recipe cooks in under 30 minutes. Canned chickpeas, eggplant, onions, and flavorful spices stew together for a tasty meal.

Shopping tip: Japanese eggplants are longer and thinner than the Italian variety and tend to be less bitter.

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Eggplant Shepherd's Pie

Vegetarian Eggplant Shepherd's Pie in a white pot with a small bowl of the dish and a metal spoon for eating
Caitlin Bensel

Substituting eggplant for traditional beef, this vegetarian version of shepherd's pie is filling and comforting. Pair with red wine or a rich, dark beer for the perfect dinner.

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Meatless Meatball Subs

Two Meatless Eggplant-Mushroom Meatball Subs on a Baking Sheet
Caitlin Bensel

Plant-based meatballs made of umami-filled mushrooms and savory eggplant are the key to these meatless subs. Top with marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil for a tasty lunch or dinner.

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