Stuffed Eggplant
With thanks to my good friend Scott Williams in the USA.
- 2 pounds eggplant, ends trimmed and halved lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or 3 to 4 slices
- Gather the ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Hollow out inside of eggplant, leaving a sturdy shell for stuffing.
- Place shells in a foil-lined baking pan and set aside.
- Dice eggplant that was removed from "shells."
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add reserved diced eggplant and sauté until soft.
- Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
- Add ground beef to skillet; cook while breaking up.
- Add garlic to skillet and sauté for about 1 minute longer.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Simmer, stirring frequently, for about 15 minutes.
- Add breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and sautéed eggplant to sauce mixture and stir to blend.
- Spoon sauce mixture into eggplant shells.
- Cut mozzarella cheese slices into triangles and arrange on top of eggplant halves, or top eggplant with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake stuffed eggplant Parmesan oven for about 25 minutes.
- To serve, place eggplant halves on a bed of cooked buttered green beans or spaghetti squash. Or serve stuffed eggplant on heated marinara sauce with cooked spaghetti.