Stuffed Eggplant
Ingredients:
1 (1 1/2 pound) eggplant, halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 cup tomato-basil pasta sauce
3/4 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Directions:
Begin by assembling all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with foil.
Using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut around the edge of the flesh in each eggplant half, ensuring to leave a 1/2-inch border. Utilize a spoon to scoop out the flesh, maintaining a 1/2-inch-thick shell; set the flesh aside and chop it into small pieces.
Brush the eggplant shells with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season them with salt and pepper; set them aside for later use. In a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, onion, mushrooms, and garlic, cooking and stirring until the sausage is browned evenly. Incorporate the reserved chopped eggplant and basil, followed by the addition of the pasta sauce; continue to cook and stir for 5 minutes. Finally, mix in 1/2 cup of panko and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Fill the eggplant shells with the prepared mixture. In a small bowl, combine the remaining panko and cheese, then sprinkle this mixture over the stuffed eggplants.
Place the stuffed eggplants in the preheated oven and bake until the eggplant is tender, approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
Test Kitchen Tips
This recipe was tested in our test kitchen in May 2023 and has been updated to recommend a baking time of 45 minutes. Adjustments included a reduction in bread crumbs and the addition of 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, and tomato-basil sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories 387
Total Fat 21g
Saturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 29mg
Sodium 1156mg
Total Carbohydrate 37g
Dietary Fiber 8g
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C
