Eggplant Gratin Is the Cozy, Cheesy Dish Your Weeknight Needs

If you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and deeply satisfying but still veggie-forward eggplant gratin checks every box. This rustic French-inspired dish combines pan-fried eggplant with creamy ricotta, zesty marinara, and a golden Parmesan crust. It’s an elegant comfort food you can pull together with simple ingredients and it’s perfect for a cozy night in.

Why Eggplant Deserves a Spot on Your Plate

Eggplant isn’t just a hearty, satisfying base for baked dishes it also offers real nutrition perks. It’s naturally low in calories and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium, which may support heart health and digestion. Cooking it with healthy fats like olive oil can help your body absorb more of its phytonutrients, especially nasunin, a powerful antioxidant found in the skin.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Good-quality olive oil, for frying

• ¾ pound eggplant (unpeeled), sliced into ½-inch rounds

• ¼ cup ricotta cheese

• 1 extra-large egg

• ¼ cup half-and-half

• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• ½ cup high-quality bottled marinara sauce

How to Make Eggplant Gratin

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.

2. Pan-fry the eggplant:
   Heat about ⅛ inch of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is nearly smoking, add the eggplant slices in batches. Cook for about 5 minutes, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown and tender. Be cautious it may splatter. Transfer the slices to paper towels to drain, and repeat with remaining eggplant, adding more oil as needed.

3. Prepare the ricotta custard:
   In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta, egg, half-and-half, ¼ cup of the Parmesan, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble the gratin:
   In two individual gratin dishes or small oven-safe bowls, layer a few slices of fried eggplant. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Spoon over half the marinara sauce. Add another layer of eggplant, a pinch of salt and pepper, and half of the ricotta mixture. Top each with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan.

5. Bake to perfection:
   Place the gratin dishes on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the custard is set and the tops are browned and bubbling.

6. Serve warm ideally with a side salad or crusty whole-grain bread for dipping.

A Lighter Take on Classic Comfort

This dish feels indulgent, but it's more balanced than you might think. Swapping heavy cream for half-and-half and layering with antioxidant-rich marinara sauce helps lighten it up without losing flavor. And baking individual portions ensures smart serving sizes, making it easy to enjoy mindfully.

The Takeaway

Eggplant gratin is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated or unhealthy. With crispy golden eggplant, rich cheese, and vibrant tomato sauce, it’s a dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl.

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