I partnered with Pick 'n Save to bring you this delicious recipe, but as always, all ideas and opinions are my own.
Lasagna Stuffed Eggplant makes the most of fresh summer produce by combining two classics in one delicious dish. Baked eggplant meets creamy lasagna and the result is pure comfort food that's perfect for summer!
So I've decided that one of the worst punishments ever also happens to be something I'm forced to do on a very regular basis: grocery shopping with kids. I'm not sure what it is about kids and carts and food and grocery aisles....but for some reason, it feels like the most perfect storm. Every. Single. Time.
I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the grocery store and everything to do with my kids....which simultaneously makes it better and worse. Better because at least it's not my grocery store that's the problem....but worse because that means it's my KIDS who are the problem! Which, come to think of it, is actually way worse.
And I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that we almost always shop at the same store, our neighborhood Pick 'n Save, so the people there know us and know exactly what to expect. There are no surprises when the girls are playing hide & seek in the aisles or pulling Oreos off the shelves or begging for samples of salami and cheese. And no one gives a second glance when Myla is yelling because the horn on her car cart is (still) broken or throwing a tantrum on the floor because we can't cut into the watermelon right then and there or insisting on pushing the cart herself and therefore bumping into shelves and walls and people.
No, there are no surprises, although I'm pretty sure the employees all brace themselves when they see us walking through the door. And I wouldn't be surprised if they talk about us after we leave. We are, after all, quite a scene. And to be honest, I have to brace myself, too. Even though I seem to find myself at the grocery store daily, it's still something I dread doing with kids. And still something that leaves me feeling a little bit like I deserve a reward.
Which is exactly where this Lasagna Stuffed Eggplant comes in. Made with fresh eggplant I found at Pick 'n Save and stuffed with a creamy lasagna filling, it literally melts in your mouth and leaves you feeling so very much better. It's summer comfort food at its best, and exactly what I need following an afternoon at the grocery store with kids. Or....an afternoon at home with them. Seriously, just bring on the Lasagna Stuffed Eggplant!
For more summer recipe inspiration, check out the Pick 'n Save website or visit them on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!
Lasagna Stuffed Eggplant
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- 1/2 lb. Italian Sausage
- 1 container ricotta cheese
- 1/2 c. parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. dried parsley
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 c. marinara sauce
- 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Remove Italian Sausage from casings; brown over medium-high heat.
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In a small bowl, combine & mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, and garlic powder.
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Cut eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out centers, leaving about 1/2 inch of flesh.
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Prepare a large baking pan by spreading 1 c. marinara sauce to cover the bottom of the pan.
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Place eggplant halves on top of sauce.
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Spoon ricotta mixture evenly into eggplant, then top with cooked sausage, remaining marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Cover with foil.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Mike Polay
What is a good substitute for ricotta?
Cathy Trochelman
Cottage cheese is often used as a sub. Otherwise you could use more meat and substitute a little less mozzarella for the ricotta.
Jess
Looks like another delicious dish Cathy! I have eggplant in my garden so I will try this when its ready. Don't even get me started on grocery shopping with kids! I only have 2 and seem to go 2x a week because I can't keep the summer house stocked! It really isn't fun!
Carol G
What size ricotta container?? I am off to the fresh produce store to buy eggplant to make this.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Ahhh my oldest wants me to take her tonight to the grocery store! I'm DREADING it. They turn into terrors! If only I could come home this delicious meal after I'm done for a reward!!
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet
Oh man, that is one fabulous dish! We love to eat eggplant!
Sandra McCollum
Love this meal friend. I can't wait to try.
Justine | Cooking and Beer
I <3 eggplant so much, and this is such a fun and unique idea!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
Oh. Em. Gee, does this look good! Eggplant is one of my absolute favorites, so you've got me drooling over this! Love the sausage in the mix - great combo!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Omg, I just made zucchini lasagna but now I want this stuffed eggplant! Obsessed!!
Sabrina
I'm always looking for great eggplant dishes! This one looks like a winner!
Des @ Lifes Ambrosia
I'm not usually a lasagna fan, but I could totally get behind this! All. That. Cheese.
Love Bakes Good Cakes
I can't even tell you how much I love this dish!! And I feel ya on grocery shopping with kids ..... it is the most unfun thing EVER. Thank goodness we can feel rewarded with yummy dishes like this!!
Cookin Canuck
I remember when my kids were little that going grocery shopping alone was just as blissful as going to a spa. Seriously. Love these stuffed eggplants. Perfect comfort food for any time of the year.
Rachael Yerkes
This is such a great way to eat Eggplants. This looks so good! I'm really excited to try this recipe out!
marcie
This is the best idea ever and I want it for dinner tonight! Love this, Cathy!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner
My husband loves eggplant - great recipe for him Cathy!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
This is creative!
Nicole Taggart
stuffed eggplant! yum!!!!
Bobbie
What do you recommend doing with the eggplant flesh you scooped out? I think I would chop it, sautéed it down, and mix it in with the rest of the filling ingredients...
karen adams
I love making eggplant pizza(use eggplant instead of pizza dough), vegetable lasagna(use eggplant, zucchini, cabbage, celery and yellow squash, all cut lengthwise, instead of pasta), and now, I will enjoy making eggplant boats above, but without sausage and using fat free cheeses... no sugar in my sauce... etc. Yum!
Momzilla
What do you do with the scooped out eggplant? It isn't mentioned in the recipe..... do I chop and add to stuffing mixture? It seems such a waste to discard!
Cathy Trochelman
I didn't add mine to the stuffing mixture, although you certainly could! I cooked and ate mine separately.
Morrison
Wow! Yummy! I made mine with ground beef and added chopped onion and green bell peppers. Served it with garlic toast! So so good!
Cathy Trochelman
Great....thank you for letting me know!
Alicia
What size container of ricotta cheese?! This looks amazing!
Rick
Looks really good, but why do you call it lasagna? No noodles, nothing flat like sliced zucchini.
Michelle
Is it a 475g (2 cups) size of ricotta? Can’t see that you ever answered that question. thanks.