Three Cheese Eggplant Italiano Casserole
This cheesy, layered Italian bake features tender eggplant and a hearty beef ragu without the heavy breading of traditional versions. It’s a delicious, low-carb comfort meal that delivers all the classic flavors in just 35 minutes of baking time.
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Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant about 1 pound
- 1 pound lean ground beef 85% or above recommended
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese buy the pre-sliced to save time
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese buy in a bag or refrigerated cannister to also save time
Instructions
- Before starting:Preheat oven to 425℉Peel eggplant and cut into half-inch slicesChop onion
- In a large pot, cook peeled eggplant slices in boiling, salted water for five minutes only. Drain thoroughly in colander and set aside.
- Brown beef with onions in skillet; drain fat.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine tomato sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder and ground pepper. Add the sauce to the skillet and stir. Then spoon half of the meat mixture into the bottom of a prepared 13x9 dish.
- Place half of the eggplant slices over meat. Then spoon half of the ricotta cheese over eggplant; top with half of the mozzarella slices.
- Repeat layers, ending with the mozzarella. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over all.
- Cover tightly with foil. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake and additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and sauce is bubbling. Let stand 5 minutes and enjoy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within three days.
- Reheat leftovers in a covered dish at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Notes
I always use 85% or above ground beef for this recipe.
If you don't have Italian seasoning, you may use oregano instead.
Avoid using powdered parmesan cheese that's sold on a shelf. Freshly grated tastes so much better.
Nutrition
Calories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 24gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 840mgPotassium: 567mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 605IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 260mgIron: 2mg
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