Breaded Eggplant Rollatini

Crisp slices of breaded eggplant filled with ricotta cheese and spinach are topped with a savory tomato sauce in these vegetarian rollatini.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 331 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 (8 ounce) package fresh spinach
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons dried basil, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon onion powder, divided
• 1 (15 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 large eggplant, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
• 0.5 cup milk
• 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 large onion, chopped
• 0.5 cup whole wheat flour
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, divided
• 0.25 cup olive oil, divided
• 0.5 (14.5 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place eggplant slices in a large dish and cover with salted water. Let soak, about 15 minutes. Drain and cover with milk.

Step 3

Combine flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large resealable plastic bag.

Step 4

Beat eggs lightly in a shallow bowl that is long enough for the eggplant slices to fit in.

Step 5

Combine panko, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in another large resealable plastic bag.

Step 6

Place 1 slice eggplant in flour mixture, shaking to coat. Dip in egg. Transfer to bag with panko mixture, shaking to coat. Repeat with remaining slices.

Step 7

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet. Cook coated eggplant slices in batches until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding oil as needed.

Step 8

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, 2 teaspoons pepper, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and poultry seasoning. Reduce heat to low and cover; cook sauce, stirring occasionally, until flavors combine, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 9

Mix ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper together gently in a bowl to make filling.

Step 10

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling over each eggplant slice. Roll slices into logs and arrange in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Pour tomato sauce evenly on top.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven until sauce is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.