Easy roasted eggplant is a great addition to any meal. Bake in the oven and use in your favorite lunch bowl, serve over pasta or as a standalone side dish. Roasted eggplant is easy to reheat and can be served warmed or at room temperature.
We have been on a roasting streak in the Peel house lately. Maybe it is the colder weather. You can check out our most recent slow roasted tomatoes and our roasted garlic to see what I am talking about. Serious goodness!
Not sure how make eggplant quickly without the rubberiness and no bitterness? Then this recipe is for you!
How to Make Perfectly Roasted Eggplant
Start by prepping the eggplant. Trim the ends and cut into rounds, between 1/3 – 1/2 inch thick. Lay eggplant on a wire rack, generously sprinkle each side with salt.
Allow the eggplant to sit for 30 minutes while the salt pulls out excess moisture. Rinse the eggplant and use a towel to gently push out the excess water.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Alternately you can oil the baking sheet but I find parchment works better. Spread out the eggplant on the baking sheet and lightly oil both sides. Sprinkle with black pepper.
I typically to do not salt my eggplant at this point. The initial salt has seeped in and I can always add more right before serving if needed.
Roast in a 400 F degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip halfway through for even caramelization.
How to Use Roasted Eggplant
I used to avoid eggplant. I just wasn’t really sure how to use it outside eggplant parmesan. But now it is a staple in our lives. Here are some of the ways we use it:
- Served with roasted zucchini and topped with feta (optional), toasted pine nuts, and fresh parsley
- Topped with marinara and fresh parsley
- As part of a chicken bowl, sprinkle with zaatar and add fresh tomatoes, olives, and parsley
- As part of a veggie stack with vegan basil pesto
- Rolled with our roasted garlic cashew cream cheese stuffed inside and a fresh tomato sauce drizzled on top
- Serve as a side with a preserved lemon vinaigrette and sprinkled with microgreens
- Serve with pork tenderloin and carrot-ginger dressing
- In a roasted veggie sandwich
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Roasted Eggplant
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant
- kosher salt
- olive oil
- black pepper
Instructions
- Cut off ends of eggplant and slice into 1/3 inch rounds. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Lay the eggplant on the rack. Liberally sprinkle each side of the steaks with the salt and let the eggplant sit for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Rinse the eggplant under cool water and thoroughly pat dry with a towel.
- Arrange the eggplant and single layer on the parchment lined baking sheet. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil and a light sprinkle of black pepper.
- Roast the eggplant in the oven for 20 minutes. Flip and roast for an additional 10 minutes. Serve as desired.
My name is Jen. I believe that food (and life) should be fun. Join me as I create healthy recipes that focus on healing your body through food. Who says healthy has to be boring? 
Jen says
Comes out perfectly everytime!