These cheesy baked eggplant slices make a perfect appetizer or side dish to a meal. A simple, easy and effortless recipe gets done in less than 30 minutes. They make a great addition to sandwiches or salads. Try different cheeses such as Boursin or Camembert for a more fun variety.
I think the eggplant is a very unappreciated vegetable. Don't you? Often, I get people who say they don't like eggplant and when asked 'have you tasted it?' - they can't remember or have never tried it.
Personally, I love eggplant and have always loved it as a kid. Yeah, when it comes to fruits and veggies I was weird because I loved all the veggies that most kids didn't care for. My Rhea is like me, she can live on veggies and never complain. She needs her salad at every meal like me.
Aadi is a meat person so he still is not on board with the eggplant. He claims he hates eggplant but loves these cheese slices in his sandwiches, enjoys a nice bowl of baba ganoush with pita bread. Will feast over the eggplant and onion quiche and loves Indian style eggplant curry. Works for me as long as he eats veggies - right?
Now, these eggplant slices are easy as it can get when it comes to a good side dish. The cheese really goes well with the eggplant making them more soft and creamy. I love adding cheese with strong flavors, I believe, the eggplant is a tough flavor to mask so no matter how strong a flavor you add - there is no hiding that it's eggplant. I actually love that about this vegetable. Though when it comes to picky eaters that's not necessarily a plus.
The eggplant is versatile, so, it makes a great side dish to big elaborate meals such as a roast chicken or lamb. But it can stand on its own with just a side salad or soup to accompany it.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Eggplant - I love to use any eggplant I can get for this dish, as long as I can make slices. I even tried the Baladi variety, which is almost seedless and those are even better, unfortunately, they have a very short season here.
- Garlic powder - Love the ease of just sprinkling some garlic powder. The fresh garlic tends to get burnt easily when baking giving a bitter taste to the dish. If you can't find garlic powder - use some garlic oil instead.
- Cheese - I've used Parmesan because I love the rich nutty flavor it adds to the eggplant. And, I also love the sharp taste that cheddar brings to the eggplant. I highly recommend trying different cheese as it really does add so much to this dish.
Step by step instructions (Save/Pin)
Prepare
- Preheat the oven to 200 C / 390 F.
- Slice eggplant into half-inch thick round slices.
- Season with salt and let sit in a colander for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, wipe off the bitter juices released from each slice with a paper hand towel.
Bake eggplant slice
- Brush each eggplant slice with olive oil on both sides.
- Lay the eggplant slices on a baking tray sprayed with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper.
- Bake for 7 minutes then turn the slices over and bake another 7 minutes.
Top with cheese
- Remove baked slices from the oven and layer all eggplant slices in a baking pan.
- Top with grated Parmesan and Cheddar Cheese.
- Continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Enjoy!
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Cheesy Baked Eggplant Slices
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Ingredients
- 0.7 lb (300 g) Eggplant cut into slices (large - 11 oz)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
Prepare
- Preheat the oven to 200 C / 400 F
- Slice Eggplant into half-inch thick round slices
- Season with salt and let sit in a colander for 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, wipe off the bitter juices released from each slice with a paper hand towel.
Bake eggplant slices
- Brush each eggplant slice with olive oil on both sides.
- Lay the eggplant slices on a baking tray sprayed with cooking spray
- Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper
- Bake for 7 minutes then turn the slices over and bake another 7 minutes.
Top with cheese
- Remove baked slices from the oven and layer all eggplant slices in a baking pan
- Top with grated Parmesan and Cheddar Cheese.
- Continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Christine
My husband and I have been making eggplant a lot lately, so this recipe is perfect for us! Looks delicious and perfect as a snack or lunch recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely perfect for lunch. I hope you try it. Thanks Christine
Veronika's Kitchen
I love the idea of cheesy eggplants! Also, it is so easy to make it) Saving this recipe for future!)
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Veronika. Hope you try it soon.
Amy Nash
So far I haven't been able to get my family on board with regards to eggplant, but I've never tried covering it in cheese before! It sounds delicious to me, so I'm going to give this a go and see if I can convert them!
Veena Azmanov
The cheese here is not too loaded Amy, so it's not overly rich. You must try and see what they think. Thanks
Sara
This looks really yummy! I can't wait to try your recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Sara.
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
What a fun way to enjoy eggplant! It's definitely one of those vegetables that can go really wrong if it's not treated right. My husband thought he didn't like eggplant because he had only had it prepared where it was mushy and bitter. Now he's a fan, and something like this that's covered in beautifully melty, golden cheese would totally be a hit with him!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Ashley - Yeah I do think we need to bring Eggplant more to the forefront. Lot of people like your husband have not eaten eggplant made the right way lol. Your hubby is lucky you changed his mind.
Krisitna
I love eggplant! I usually grill it with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and herbs but this looks like a great alternative. Delicious!
Veena Azmanov
This is super easy you must tr Kristina. let me know if you do.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
So agree with you. Eggplant is such an under-appreciated vegetable! In Italy, it is so popular and I have loved it since childhood. A cheesy baked eggplant dish is always a great choice, Kind of like a white and simpler version of an eggplant parmigiana. Great!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, Italy does have some really nice eggplant recipes, unlike the west where it is so unappreciated. Actually in India also we do a lot with eggplant.
Claire
I've never had eggplant but have always wanted to try it. I've always kind of thought it was an intimidating vegetable (maybe because I've never made anything with it). I'll definitely have to give this a try!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Claire - this is fairly simple recipe and eggplant is actually very tasty