16 Eggplant Recipes That Celebrate the Gorgeous Summer Vegetable

By Kelly Vaughan
Updated November 26, 2019
Credit: Marcus Nilsson
From comforting pasta dishes to light salads and noodle bowls, eggplant shines in each of these recipes.
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Credit: Marcus Nilsson

With its gorgeous aubergine hue, sweet, slightly bitter flavor, and endless possibilities for preparation, eggplant is one of our favorite vegetables to cook with. Technically a fruit, it comes in a range of shapes and colors including graffiti eggplant (white and purple striped), smaller Italian eggplant, and white eggplant. Globe eggplants are, however, the largest and most common. The smaller Japanese eggplant is long and narrow, with fewer seeds, thinner skin, and a milder, less bitter flavor than the globe variety. Try these eggplant recipes as a delicious way to enjoy the vegetable.

Though available year-round, eggplant peaks in the summer. When shopping for eggplant, here's what to look for: The flesh of an eggplant should give a bit when gently pressed; it should have no hard spots. The skin should be shiny and smooth, not wrinkled or mottled. Stems should be green. Avoid those with brown or soft spots. Whole eggplant will keep up to a few days in a cool place. Avoid storing in the refrigerator, as this will damage the eggplant's texture.

Now get to work! When grilled, eggplant develops a smoky, sweet flavor and its texture becomes so tender. We love it in Italian-inspired dishes, such as Eggplant Parmesan (grilled or breaded!) and Tomato-Eggplant Gnocchi, which is a quick and delicious weeknight meal. Eggplant is also a popular ingredient used in lots of traditional Indian dishes; here, we're sharing a few of our favorite preparations. Indian Eggplant (Bharta) is a fabulous dip that's a little spicy and a little savory. It can be served alongside naan or pita for a delicious appetizer, or over rice for a vegetarian meal.

Roasted or grilled, sliced or puréed, these eggplant recipes are absolutely delicious.

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Tomato-Eggplant Gnocchi

Credit: Ren Fuller
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For a quick, hearty, and meat-free meal, make this riff on caprese pasta. In addition to fragrant basil, creamy ricotta, and fresh diced tomatoes, sautéed, diced eggplant is added to the mix. It's a delicious way to elevate store-bought gnocchi in the summertime.

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Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Vegetarian lasagnas are often loaded with so many varieties of vegetables that you can't distinguish one from the other. Here, we're only highlighting two—mushrooms and eggplants—and their meatiness is the perfect substitute for ground beef, veal, and pork.

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Grilled-Eggplant Parmesan

Credit: Sidney Bensimon
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Here's a lighter, low-carb version of eggplant parmesan. Instead of breading and frying slices of the purple vegetable, they are grilled. Top with mozzarella, return to the grill until the cheese melts, and then top with a tomato-shallot mixture, basil, and good-quality olive oil.

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Eggplant and Roasted-Pepper Pasta

Credit: Christopher Testani
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Yes, the charred roasted red peppers are delicious, the campanelle-shaped pasta is a unique choice, but the real star of the show is sweet sautéed eggplant. Make this for a casual summer potluck and watch as it disappears quickly.

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Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes

Credit: Jake Stangel
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This dip has it all—the fruitiness of good-quality olive oil, mild shallots, fragrant mint, sour lime juice, spicy hot chile peppers, and meaty eggplant. Serve it as an appetizer or main course—either way, it will disappear in a flash.

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Indian-Spiced Eggplant Stacks

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Perfect for an outdoor party, these layered eggplant and tomato stacks are sure to win the crowd over. Serve alongside warm pita bread or raw crudité for a full appetizer, or on their own as a vegetable side dish alongside grilled meat.

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Eggplant Meatball Casserole

Credit: Mike Krautter
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You've heard of vegetarian lasagnas, but have you ever heard of vegetarian meatballs? Tender puréed eggplant, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and an egg white are whirred together to create a paste, then rolled into large balls and pan-fried.

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Blistered Eggplant with Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta

Credit: Bryan Gardner
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Talk about a restaurant-worthy starter! The only cooking required here is broiling the eggplant until it becomes juicy and crispy—the rounds are then topped with heirloom cherry tomatoes, mixed olives, parsley, feta, and a rich olive oil. Serve with crusty bread to sop up all the juices.

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Skillet Pizza with Eggplant and Greens

Credit: Anna Williams
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You will not believe how delicious this recipe is. Start with homemade pizza dough, then add a homemade tomato-onion sauce, roasted eggplant, Swiss chard, and provolone. Each layer is totally unexpected and so flavorful.

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Indian Eggplant (Bharta)

Credit: Mike Krautter
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This dish starts with an unconventional technique—roasting a whole eggplant directly on a gas stove. From there, a paste is made with onions, ginger, and garlic; sauté that with a diced chile pepper, cumin seeds, diced tomatoes, turmeric, and eggplant. Serve over rice for a flavorful entrée.

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Soba Salad with Grilled Eggplant and Tomato

Credit: Marcus Nilsson
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Refreshing and healthy, this charred, vegetable-based soba noodle salad makes a delicious lunch or side dish—and it's vegan!

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Eggplant, Pistachio, and Pomegranate Pizza

Credit: Roland Bello
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Making this pizza takes less time than it would take to order one and pick it up from your favorite neighborhood spot—and it's so much more delicious. The variety of textures, colors, and flavors makes for an exciting meal.

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Eggplants Stuffed with Lamb, Rice, and Currants

Credit: Johnny Miller
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When you're craving healthy comfort food, make this stuffed eggplant dish. The delicate flavor of ground lamb is a hearty complement to brown rice, fresh mint, and parsley for the filling.

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Grilled Eggplant with Tomatoes, Basil, and Feta

Credit: Ryan Liebe
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Talk about a summer stunner. Large slices of eggplant are grilled, then topped with a Mediterranean-inspired combination of cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, pine nuts, and basil. It's just like your favorite caprese, but elevated with eggplant.

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Traditional Eggplant Parmigiana

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What would a list of eggplant recipes be without this Italian classic? There's nothing wild and crazy here—just classic, flavorful comfort food for a cold day.

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Calamarata with Roasted Eggplants, Tomatoes, and Olives

Credit: Johnny Miller
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No, those aren't rings of calamari in this Mediterranean dish. Calamarata is a type of pasta that just so happens to resemble calamari. Here, it's tossed with a variety of colorful vegetables and sweet Italian sausage.

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By Kelly Vaughan