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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Italian Stuffed Eggplant (Mozzarella and Tomato)

    Published: Aug 22, 2022, Last updated: Aug 22, 2022 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    The simplest Italian Stuffed Eggplant made with a flavour-packed tomato sauce, fresh basil, fennel seeds and bubbling mozzarella cheese. An easy and healthy recipe that can be served as a light lunch or dinner or as a delicious veggie side dish.

    Two stuffed eggplants on a scalloped edged plate with basil scattered around.

    There is an abundance of eggplant during the summer months and one of my favourite ways to use them when they are at their best is to stuff them.

    Like a lot of Italian food, this recipe uses very simple ingredients yet it's packed with incredible flavour.

    Enjoy them as they are or switch it up with endless variations by adding different herbs and spices, cheese or meat.

    See the recipe below including notes on ingredients, step by step photos, tips, variations and a video tutorial. For the full printable recipe scroll to the bottom or click the recipe link below.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step by step photos and instructions
    • Recipe tips and variations
    • FAQs
    • Serving suggestions
    • More Italian eggplant recipes
    • 📖 Full Recipe

    Ingredients

    See the photo below that shows you everything you need to make our Italian stuffed eggplant recipe plus some important notes on ingredients.

    An overhead shot of ingredients; eggplants, fresh basil, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, fennel seeds and garlic.

    Ingredient notes and substitutions

    • Eggplants - use medium-large eggplants (aubergines) that are firm and plump with no bruising.
    • Tomatoes - good quality tomatoes are a must for this recipe so use a trusted brand such as Cirio or Mutti.
    • Mozzarella - use a good quality fresh mozzarella such as buffalo mozzarella.
    • Basil - make sure you use fresh basil, do not substitute it with dried although dried oregano can be used.

    Step by step photos and instructions

    Prepare the eggplant - Wash and dry the eggplant then cut them in half lengthwise so you have four halves. Score the inside flesh of the eggplants in a criss-cross pattern making sure you don’t pierce the skin.

    Place the eggplant on a shallow baking tray. Sprinkle each with salt, pepper and some fennel seeds then drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake them in the oven for 25-30 minutes until soft (photos 1 & 2).

    Four photos in a collage showing how to prepare eggplant for roasting and make tomato sauce.

    Make the sauce - Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a frying pan and add the chopped garlic. Saute for a few seconds until the garlic is fragrant but not browned then add the chopped tomatoes. Rinse the can out with around 1 tablespoon of water and add that to the sauce (photos 3 & 4).

    Add a good pinch of salt and pepper then simmer the sauce gently for 15 minutes until reduced and thickened slightly (you don’t want the sauce to be watery).

    Four photos in a collage showing how to scoop baked eggplant from the skin and mixing it in a bowl with tomato, mozzarella and basil.

    Once ready, remove the eggplants from the oven. When cool enough to touch, scoop out the inside of the eggplant and add to a mixing bowl (photos 5 & 6).

    Mix the filling - Add the tomato sauce, fresh basil (torn or roughly chopped) and roughly chopped mozzarella and mix until combined (photos 7 & 8).

    Stuff the eggplants - Fill the eggplants with the mixture then sprinkle each one with some fennel seeds. Bake in the oven for another 25 minutes until melted and slightly golden (photos 9 & 10).

    Two photos showing how to stuff eggplants and what they look like once baked.

    Recipe tips and variations

    • High-quality ingredients are a must! - like most Italian recipes this recipe is very simple and uses very few ingredients yet it tastes incredible, why? Because high-quality ingredients are used.
    • Sauce consistency - make sure your tomato sauce has thickened and isn't watery or there will be too much liquid in the filling.
    • Make it spicy - to add some heat try adding some red pepper flakes (chilli flakes) to the tomato sauce.
    • Other cheeses to use - to add a stronger cheese flavour you can swap half of the mozzarella for fontina, taleggio or even gorgonzola cheese.
    • To add meat - you can brown some Italian sausage before continuing with the sauce or add some cubed mortadella or prosciutto slices to the filling mixture.

    FAQs

    Can you eat the eggplant skin?

    Absolutely, you can eat the whole eggplant (except from the stalk). The skin is delicious!

    Do I need to soak the eggplant first?

    No, the eggplant is baked first and the flesh is scooped out, there's no need to soak them.

    How long do they last?

    Once cooked they'll keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can reheat them in a preheated 350F (200C) oven for 15-20 minutes until piping hot. Cover them with foil so the cheese does not burn.

    Can you freeze the stuffed eggplant?

    Yes, you can freeze them for up to 1 month.

    A close up of half an eggplant stuffed with tomato and mozzarella cut open on a plate.

    Serving suggestions

    There are so many ways to serve stuffed eggplant, this recipe, in particular, is so simple that they're perfect as a Primo (first course).

    You can also serve two halves per person with our arugula salad as a main course or serve them as a vegetable side dish with meat or fish. Our pistachio-crusted chicken is a great option.

    More Italian eggplant recipes

    • Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmigiana di Melanzane)
    • Eggplant Lasagna with Prosciutto and Mozzarella
    • Pasta Alla Norma (Eggplant Pasta)
    • Eggplant Rollatini with Spinach and Ricotta

    If you’ve tried this Italian Stuffed Eggplant recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or sign up to our Newsletter to see more of our delicious food.

    📖 Full Recipe

    Step By Step Photos AboveMost of our recipes come with step by step photos, helpful tips and tricks to make it perfectly first time and even video!
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    A close up of half a stuffed eggplant on a plate topped with fresh basil.
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    5 from 2 votes

    Italian Stuffed Eggplant

    The simplest Italian Stuffed Eggplant made with a flavour-packed tomato sauce, fresh basil, fennel seeds and bubbling mozzarella cheese. An easy and healthy recipe that can be served as a light lunch or dinner or as a delicious veggie side dish.
    Course side
    Cuisine Italian
    Diet Vegetarian
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 55 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 233kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 2 medium-large eggplant (aubergine)
    • 14 oz canned chopped tomatoes such as Cirio or Mutti (400g)
    • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
    • 1.5 cups chopped fresh mozzarella (200g/7oz)
    • 1 Large handful fresh basil
    • ½ tablespoon fennel seeds
    • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
    • Salt and pepper

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat the oven to 350F (200C).
    • Wash and dry the eggplant then cut them in half lengthwise so you have four halves. Score the inside flesh of the eggplants in a criss-cross pattern making sure you don’t pierce the skin.
    • Place the eggplant on a shallow baking tray. Sprinkle each one with a little salt, pepper and fennel seeds then drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake them in the oven for 25-30 minutes until soft.
    • Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a frying pan and add the chopped garlic. Saute for a few seconds until the garlic is fragrant but not browned then add the chopped tomatoes. Rinse the can out with around 1 tablespoon of water and add that to the sauce.
    • Add a good pinch of salt and pepper then simmer the sauce gently for 15 minutes until reduced and thickened slightly (you don’t want the sauce to be watery).
    • Once ready, remove the eggplants from the oven. When cool enough to touch, scoop out the inside of the eggplant and add to a mixing bowl.
    • Add the tomato sauce, fresh basil (torn or roughly chopped) and roughly chopped mozzarella and mix until combined.
    • Fill the eggplants with the mixture then sprinkle each one with some fennel seeds. Bake in the oven for another 25 minutes until melted and slightly golden.

    Notes

    • Sauce consistency - make sure your tomato sauce has thickened and isn't watery or there will be too much liquid in the filling.
    • Make it spicy - to add some heat try adding some red pepper flakes (chilli flakes) to the tomato sauce.
    • Other cheeses to use - to add a stronger cheese flavour you can swap half of the mozzarella for fontina, taleggio or even gorgonzola cheese.
    • To add meat - you can brown some Italian sausage before continuing with the sauce or add some cubed mortadella or prosciutto slices to the filling mixture
    • Storage and reheating - once cooked, the stuffed eggplant will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can reheat them at 350F (200C) for 15-20 minutes until piping hot all the way through. Make sure to cover them with foil so the cheese they do not burn.
    • Freezing - freeze them in suitable containers for up to 1 month.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 456mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 482IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 1mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

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    • Parmesan Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
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