Mediterranean Eggplant Pocket Bake

47 mins
Serves 6
facebook.com

Directions

  1. 1Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. 2Slice 2-3 eggplants into 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick slices.
  3. 3Lay eggplant slices out on an oven-safe tray without overlapping.
  4. 4Season eggplant with salt and drizzle with olive oil.
  5. 5Roast eggplant for 18–20 mins.
  6. 6While eggplant cooks, make your beef mixture in a bowl.
  7. 7Combine 1lb ground beef with diced onion, onion powder, granulated garlic, sweet paprika, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.
  8. 8Mix the beef well.
  9. 9Form the mixture into 6-8 equal patties or balls.
  10. 10Remove eggplant from the oven and let cool for about 1 min.
  11. 11Take one eggplant slice and lay it across your palm, then place another slice across it in an “X” shape.
  12. 12Add one beef patty in the center of the eggplant slices.
  13. 13Fold each side of the eggplant over to create a pocket.
  14. 14Repeat the pocket creation for all patties.
  15. 15In an oven-safe dish, spread about half a jar of marinara on the bottom.
  16. 16Place the eggplant pockets on top of the marinara sauce.
  17. 17Cover the dish with a lid.
  18. 18Bake at 425°F for 22–24 mins.
  19. 19Remove from the oven, top with mozzarella and chili flakes.
  20. 20Broil for 2–3 mins until melted and bubbly.

Ingredients

  • 2 null medium eggplants, sliced 1/4–1/3 inch thick
  • null Olive oil
  • null Salt
  • 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
  • 0.33 null yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 null garlic cloves, minced
  • 0.5 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp granulated garlic
  • 0.5 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley
  • null Salt
  • null pepper
  • 0.5 cup uncooked rice
  • 0.5 null jar marinara or pasta sauce
  • null Sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese
  • null Chili flakes
  • null Fresh basil
  • null Shredded parmesan

Equipment

ovensheet panbowloven-safe dishlid

Tips

  • If using rice, add 1/2 cup uncooked rice to the beef mixture.
  • Serve as-is, or top with shredded parmesan, some basil, or pair with a side of rice or high-protein rice to make it low carb and even more filling.