Tender roasted eggplant slices rolled around a creamy cheese filling and baked in marinara — this Italian-style comfort dish is lighter than lasagna but just as satisfying.
⏱️ Quick Info
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Servings: 4
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Difficulty: Easy–Medium
🛒 Ingredients
Eggplant
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2 medium eggplants
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2 tbsp olive oil
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Salt & black pepper
Cheese Filling
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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½ cup shredded mozzarella
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¼ cup grated Parmesan
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1 egg
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil
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1 clove garlic, minced
Sauce & Topping
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2 cups marinara sauce
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½–¾ cup shredded mozzarella (for top)
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Extra Parmesan for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Eggplant
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Slice eggplants lengthwise into ¼-inch thin strips.
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Lay on baking sheet, brush with olive oil, season lightly.
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Roast 15 minutes until flexible but not mushy.
(This makes rolling easy.)
2️⃣ Make the Cheese Filling
In a bowl, mix:
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ricotta
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mozzarella
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Parmesan
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egg
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parsley/basil
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garlic
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salt & pepper
Mix until creamy.
3️⃣ Assemble the Rolls
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Spread a thin layer of marinara in a baking dish.
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Place 1–2 tbsp cheese mixture on each eggplant slice.
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Roll up gently and place seam-side down in dish.
4️⃣ Sauce & Cheese
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Spoon remaining marinara over rolls.
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Sprinkle top mozzarella and Parmesan.
5️⃣ Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes
until bubbly and golden.
6️⃣ Serve
Rest 5–10 minutes, then garnish with fresh herbs.
⭐ Pro Tips
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Salt eggplant slices for 10 minutes before roasting to reduce bitterness (optional but helpful).
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Slice eggplant evenly so rolls cook uniformly.
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Don’t overfill or rolls may burst.
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Use thick marinara for best texture.
🔄 Easy Variations
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Low-carb/keto: already low-carb friendly
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Add protein: mix in cooked ground turkey
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Spinach boost: add chopped spinach to ricotta
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Air fryer eggplant: pre-cook slices in air fryer 8–10 minutes
🥗 What to Serve With
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Simple green salad
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Garlic roasted broccoli
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Zucchini noodles
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Crusty bread (optional)
🔢 Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
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Calories: ~280
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Protein: ~18g
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Carbs: ~14g
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Fat: ~18g
WW Points: ~6–8 per serving (varies by cheese)
❓ FAQs
Can I make ahead?
Yes — assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze?
Yes. Freeze before or after baking for up to 2 months.
Is it anti-inflammatory?
Mostly yes when using olive oil and moderate cheese.