# Mediterranean Eggplant Pocket Bake

These eggplant pockets are made right in the oven, packed with protein, and are a healthy weeknight dinner option.

- Servings: 6 servings
- Total time: 47 min
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Category: Sauce & Condiment
- Language: en

## 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

## Instructions

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

## Equipment

- oven
- sheet pan
- bowl
- oven-safe dish
- lid

## 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.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HYj1ZSPeq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/5a815b29-c45d-40dc-9145-2dde3c330bdc
- Extracted: 2026-03-30

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt