Zucchini usually steals the spotlight, but it’s time for eggplant to have its moment to shine. These incredible recipes prove eggplant is just as versatile and delicious. From hearty casseroles and flavorful salads to comforting pasta dishes and creative pizzas, there’s something for everyone. Perfect for late summer, these dishes will take your dinner game to the next level and make you appreciate the power of this purple vegetable.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant
This easy stuffed eggplant recipe with chicken and cheddar cheese is a great dinner option that can be made in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant
Curry Roasted Eggplant Burgers
These roasted eggplant hummus burgers are infused with curry and topped with a creamy yogurt cilantro sauce. They make a great vegetarian burger for summer.
Get the Recipe: Curry Roasted Eggplant Burgers
Eggplant Feta Pizza
If you love white pizza, this roasted eggplant fennel pizza with whipped feta and ricotta base is for you. Topped with pine nuts, roasted garlic, and olive oil, it’s a must-try.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Feta Pizza
Lentil Stuffed Eggplant
Lentil stuffed eggplant is a hearty meatless meal filled with lentils, tomatoes, shallots, and greens. Top with goat cheese for a creamy bite or leave off for a vegan version.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Stuffed Eggplant
Tomato Basil Eggplant Noodles
Eggplant noodles tossed with a quick tomato basil sauce and lots of parmesan cheese make for a fresh summer meatless meal. Eggplant takes the lead in this simple yet delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Eggplant Noodles
Italian Stuffed Eggplant Boats
These eggplant boats from Sicily are loaded with Italian flavors like tomato, garlic, basil, and Parmigiano, with a special Sicilian cheese. Eggplant is the star here, making your dinner truly memorable.
Get the Recipe: Italian Stuffed Eggplant Boats
Zaalouk – Tomato and Aubergine Dip
This Moroccan dip, Zaalouk, is packed with flavor. It’s great as a side dish, appetizer, or even a salad, showing off eggplant in a versatile way.
Get the Recipe: Zaalouk – Tomato and Aubergine Dip
Eggplant Involtini
Eggplant Involtini is all about Italian comfort food. These eggplant rolls can be prepped ahead and baked when you’re ready, making them great for entertaining without stress.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Involtini
Dukkah Eggplant Baked Slices Salad
This salad features dukkah-spiced eggplant slices, Israeli couscous, and pomegranate arils, showcasing eggplant’s rich flavor in a simple yet satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Dukkah Eggplant Baked Slices Salad
Steamed Eggplant with Spicy Miso Sauce
Steamed aubergines with spicy miso sauce are simple to make and full of flavor, making eggplant the highlight of your meal.
Get the Recipe: Steamed Aubergines with Spicy Miso Sauce
Tortang Talong, Filipino Eggplant Omelette
This Filipino eggplant omelette, Tortang Talong, is quick to make and packed with rich flavors, making it a perfect vegetarian breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Tortang Talong, Filipino Eggplant Omelette
Stuffed Eggplant Curry
Baby eggplants stuffed with roasted coconut, peanut, sesame, and spices simmered in a rich tomato curry. The eggplant soaks up the flavors, making it the star of this dish.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Eggplant Curry
Eggplant And Ground Beef Casserole
This hearty eggplant casserole with ground beef is ultimate comfort food. It’s easy to prepare and great for your weekly dinner lineup.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant And Ground Beef Casserole
Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant
This Mediterranean recipe features tender grilled eggplant drizzled with a tasty marinade, making it perfect for lunch or dinner as an appetizer, side, or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant
Eggplant Tofu (Copycat Panda Express)
Make your own version of Panda Express’s eggplant tofu at home. Stir-fry eggplant, tofu, and bell peppers in a sweet and spicy sauce for a fantastic meal.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tofu (Copycat Panda Express)
Easy Eggplant Parmigiana
This baked eggplant parmigiana is a great vegetarian main course or side dish, showcasing eggplant in a delicious way.
Get the Recipe: Easy Eggplant Parmigiana
Lebanese Moussaka Stew (Maghmour)
This vegan Lebanese moussaka stew is full of flavor, making for an amazing dinner with eggplant as the key ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Lebanese Moussaka Stew (Maghmour)
Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
Sausage stuffed eggplant features roasted eggplants filled with a sausage-tomato mix, topped with mozzarella, and baked until bubbly. A great dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Eggplant
Chili Garlic Eggplant with Rice
Chili garlic eggplant served over rice is packed with punchy flavors. It’s garlicky, spicy, and sweet, making for a perfect dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chili Garlic Eggplant with Rice
Eggplant Involtini with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
This recipe has roasted eggplant stuffed with an herby ricotta filling, baked in a garlicky tomato sauce. A great way to enjoy eggplant for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Involtini with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a famous Sicilian dish with a chunky, herb-infused eggplant and tomato sauce. It’s a great way to make eggplant the star of your dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pasta alla Norma
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan features breaded eggplant slices that are crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick and tasty meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant and Butternut Squash Recipe
This comforting dish combines eggplant and butternut squash with a cheesy ricotta blend, baked in marinara sauce. It’s like a veggie lasagna, making eggplant the star.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant and Butternut Squash Recipe
Za’atar Roasted Eggplant Lentil Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
This salad combines za’atar roasted eggplant with lentils, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and arugula. Dressed with a simple vinaigrette, it’s perfect for a late summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Za’atar Roasted Eggplant Lentil Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
Roasted Eggplant with Tahini Sauce
Roasted eggplant with tahini sauce features za’atar spice, fresh herbs, chili flakes, and toasted pine nuts. Serve it as a light main with bread or as a vegan side dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Eggplant with Tahini Sauce
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.