Vegetarian Eggplant Recipes: 50 Ways To Eat Eggplant! (2024)

Eggplants (or aubergines if you’re British) are one of my favorite vegetables. When prepared well, eggplants are tender, meaty and flavourful and an amazing addition/base for many delicious recipes. These vegetarian eggplant recipes really show them off at their finest!

You’ll notice that I said ‘when prepared well’.

As with many ingredients, it is possible to cook eggplants badly, in which case they can often end up tasting bitter and tough, or at the other end of the spectrum, they can guzzle down any oil you have used, resulting in a greasy mess.

How to cook the perfect eggplant

The next time you cook eggplant, take my advice: slice it and put a couple of slits in each slice (works best when cut into rings).

Then, lay some kitchen roll on a baking sheet or other flat surface, and sprinkle salt over it.

Place the eggplant slices on the salted kitchen roll and sprinkle salt over them. Leave them to soak for 30/40 mins before wiping the salt off and cooking.

This gets rid of any lingering bitterness and prevents them from absorbing too much oil.

What recipes do we have for you today?

There are so many different ways to prepare vegetarian recipes using eggplant. These healthy eggplant recipes range from lasagne to mediterranean stuffed eggplant, to eggplant cannelloni and baba ghanoush.

Eggplant pairs particularly well with tomato and sharp cheeses like vegetarian parmesan. Hence why it is used in many vegetarian Mediterranean recipes. Its subtle flavor is also complemented by fresh herbs like oregano, thyme and basil.

We hope you enjoy trying out the range of delicious food that can be made with the humble eggplant!

Let’s get into these vegetarian eggplant recipes!

Try some of our incredible vegetarian aubergine recipes now:

Vegetarian Eggplant Mains

Bonus: creamy, tasty, full of protein

This healthy high protein vegetarian moussaka is a true veggie delight with Greek soul and full of flavour and texture (like this? Try our other healthy vegetarian dinners now!)!

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: so simple, tasty and spicy dinner

This easy pasta arrabiata can be made just as spicy as you like it – you’re in control with our step by step guide. Sugo all’arrabbiata here we come!

Bonus: quick, nutritious and very delicious, can be stored for a while in the fridge

This amazing aubergine curry (or eggplant curry) is quick, vegan and soooo tasty (it’s definitely one of our fave lazy vegan recipes). Brought to you by the kings of curry.

Protein: 2.9g
Calories: 208kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 2 minutes (12 minutes prep)
Recipe by: KalynsKitchen
Bonus: delicious and healthy dish

Grilled Eggplant with Feta and Herbs is a delicious way to cook eggplant that even eggplant avoiders will enjoy!

Protein: 27g
Calories: 562kcal
Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: LittleSugarSnaps
Bonus: easy to make, hearty and incredibly tasty

This pasta al forno recipe combines rigatoni pasta, a hearty aubergine ragu and plenty of mozzarella cheese (for more examples of vegetarian pasta bakes to die for, check these out!). This aubergine pasta bake is fantastic meat-free comfort food.

Protein: 17g
Calories: 300kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: SuperGoldenBakes
Bonus: super tasty, so easy, hearty and filling

This hearty vegetable curry recipe is packed with aubergine, courgette, chickpeas and topped with grilled halloumi (if you like this, you’ll love these vegetarian stew recipes!). Easy to make, super delicious and slimming friendly too!

Protein: 21g
Calories: 414kcal
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: BowlOfDelicious
Bonus: easy, tasty, healthy and so comforting

These roasted eggplant parmesan stacks are lighter, easier, and faster than traditional eggplant parmesan recipe, and they’re gluten free too! Just roast the eggplant slices, layer with sauce and cheese, and bake!

Protein: 3g
Calories: 351kcal
Ready in: 1 hour (just 15 minutes prep)
Recipe by: GFreeFoodie
Bonus: beautiful, simple, mega tasty

Try this beautiful and delicious gluten-free recipe for Baked Eggplant with California Figs and Leeks from KC the G-Free Foodie – it’s easy to make, healthy, tasty and impressive (if gluten free is your need, try these veggie gluten free dishes). What’s not to love?

Protein: 8g
Calories: 246kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: SixHungryFeet
Bonus: easy to cook, healthy and absolutely delicious

Japanese-style dish. Umami packed, Miso-glazed Aubergine is a simple and delicious dish that the whole family will love.

Protein: 23g
Calories: 339kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes (just 20 minutes prep)
Recipe by: LittleSugarSnaps
Bonus: healthy, high-protein and delicious dish

This vegetarian rogan josh curry is packed with wholesome ingredients – it’s healthy comfort food for chilly days. This curry is vegetarian/ vegan and a great way to satisfy a curry craving.

Protein: 6g
Calories: 212kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes (just 15 minutes prep)
Recipe by: CookEatLiveLove
Bonus: super crispy, flavorful, easy to make, full of nutritional benefits

Delicious sliced eggplant breaded and baked in the oven until crisp. This easy to make vegan entree has tons of flexibility. Change up the sauce and way of serving up this easy to make eggplant recipe for a new and different meal each time.

Protein: 4g
Calories: 234kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: FamilyFriendsFood
Bonus: mega delicious, flavorful, crunchy and full of taste dish

A delicious dish of aubergines in a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce, with olives and capers.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 76.4kcalReady in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: PickyEaterBlog
Bonus: easy, cheesy, healthy and delicious

This low-carb, healthy eggplant parmesan is a lightened up version of the classic Italian dish (got to be one of our favorite vegetarian Italian recipes). Made without breadcrumbs, each slice is low in calories without compromising on flavor. Make sure you pick a vegetarian parmesan to keep it vegetarian.

Protein: 16g
Calories: 497kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: ConnoisseurusVeg
Bonus: simple, yet delicious and nutritious meal

This vegan eggplant cacciatore is made with melt-in-your mouth slabs of roasted eggplant simmered in a light white wine tomato sauce with savory mushrooms, garlic and bell peppers.

Protein: 13g
Calories: 425kcal
Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: PinchAndSwirl
Bonus: quick and easy preparation, beautiful and full flavor dish

A wonderfully flavorful, lightened up version of the classic pasta dish from Sicily!

Protein: 5g
Calories: 258kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: VegRecipesOfIndia
Bonus: quick, easy, tasty and full of health benefits curry

Hyderabadi style baingan recipe – absolutely delicious brinjal curry. Accompanies chapati, rotis and bhakris and biryanis very well.

Protein: 7g
Calories: 238kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieDesserts
Bonus: so tasty, easy, full of flavour and kids-friendly

Aubergines give a dense and ‘meaty’ texture to these balls. I’ve kept any spices to a minimum so the garlic and oregano don’t overpower the balls – making them perfect for fussy kids. Our whole family love these balls and they’re a great way to subtly introduce the flavour of aubergines.

Protein: 9.58g
Calories: 293.96kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TinnedTomatoes
Bonus: simple, delicious and flavorful

A quick, simple and tasty spaghetti sauce packed with vegetables and packed with flavour.

Protein: 7.5g
Calories: 424kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: TheLastFoodBlog
Bonus: easy, quick

Aubergine and chickpea curry is the perfect tasty weeknight dinner. It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing! This vegan curry is perfect for the whole family to enjoy!

Protein: 3.8 g
Calories: 231kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: CookedAndLoved
Bonus: vegan, gluten free

Roasted eggplant with tomato miso sauce is rich in umami flavour, slightly salty and sweet with just a touch of acidity. It’s my take on the classic miso eggplant dish and perfect as a side dish or a main with rice or quinoa. It’s a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb friendly eggplant recipe.

Protein: 14g
Calories: 380kcal
Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: WokAndKin
Bonus: rich, vegan

Braised Eggplant with Tofu is pure comfort food. The eggplants are simmered until silky, resting on bean curd that have soaked up the vegetable juices!

Protein: 10g
Calories: 352kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: FamilyFriendsFood
Bonus: light, delicious, spicy

A spicy, garlicky, saucy shakshuka with chunky aubergine (eggplant), that makes a substantial breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Protein: 20g
Calories: 578kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: TinnedTomatoes
Bonus: one tray, high protein

An easy aubergine, chickpea and spinach bake made in a sheet pan for a simple family dinner.\ Suitable for vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free diets.

Protein: 7g
Calories: 271kcal
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: VeganPunks
Bonus: spicy, simple, vegan

Indian roasted aubergine and cauliflower curry is so delicious, easy to make and great for meal prepping. Featuring a thick tomato-y gravy, a fantastic (yet simple) spice blend and creamy coconut. We bet you’ll be reaching for seconds before you know it.

Protein: 4g
Calories: 201kcal
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: ThinlySpread
Bonus: warm and creamy

This roast aubergine soup with courgettes and tomatoes really makes the most of the late summer harvest. It’s a glorious celebration of those long balmy days and is full of the taste of sunshine.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 245kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: TinnedTomatoes
Bonus: warming, fragrant

A Moroccan style Aubergine, Sweet Potato and Metis® Tagine served on a bed of fluffy couscous.

Protein: 14.6g
Calories: 546kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LavenderAndMacarons
Bonus: creamy, zesty, freezer-friendly

This Thai Eggplant Red Curry is a simple yet flavor packed meal perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights. Zucchini and tofu add richness and nutrients to this already healthy freezer-friendly dish (check out our vegan zucchini recipes if you want more zucchini inspo). Made in one pot and ready in just 30 minutes. Vegan, GF too.

Protein: 8g
Calories: 214kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: BeyondMereSustenance
Bonus: warming, fragrant, flavourful

Warm Indian spices give farm-fresh vegetables an exotic flavor in this quick and healthy dish!

Protein: 21g
Calories: 516kcal
Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: ScrummyLane
Bonus: hearty, simple

If you’re on the hunt for a really easy meatless meal, you won’t be disappointed with this easy vegetarian eggplant lasagna. With no white sauce to make, you need just a few steps and around 30 minutes hands-on time to get it in the oven. It’s garlic-y, meaty, healthy, and VERY tasty. The best part? There’s even some eggplant sauce left over for another dinner, so it’s a 2-in-1 meal!

Protein: 22g
Calories: 363kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: SlowTheCookDown
Bonus: rich, flavourful

Roasted baby eggplant is a simple vegetarian Chinese stir fried dish that comes together quickly for an easy weeknight meal (check out these other vegetarian Chinese recipes if you like the sound of this!). Easily made vegan.

Protein: 2 g
Calories: 85kcal
Ready in: 2 hours 20 minutes
Recipe by: ThinlySpread
Bonus: loaded with veggies, fresh dough

Making the most of this year’s final crop of beautifully ripe botanical fruits this aubergine pizza is a glorious celebration of the end of summer! Freshly risen pizza dough is topped with a rich tomato sauce, roasted peppers, halved cherry tomatoes and chunks of gorgeous roasted plump aubergine.

Aubergine Sides and Salads

Protein: 3g
Calories: 104kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes (only 25 minutes prep)
Recipe by: MissionFood
Bonus: super simple yet satisfying, delicious and flavorful

Escalivada, sometimes called escalibada, is a Catalan roasted vegetable dish. It features eggplant and red bell peppers, and sometimes onions and/or tomatoes. It’s a light option for a Spanish tapas menu or can act as a simple vegetarian side.

Protein: 1g
Calories: 267kcal
Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: СarolinesСooking
Bonus: light, delicious, spicy and so good

If you ever thought eggplant was boring, then you need to try this Moroccan eggplant with chermoula. The punchy sauce transforms cooked eggplant to make a flavor-packed side or mezze dish.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 156kcal
Ready in: 1 hour 45 minutes
Recipe by: SaladsWithAnastasia
Bonus: light, delicious, spicy and so good

This Eggplant Salad is substantial enough to have for the main meal and has big bold flavours. A great vegetarian option for your next dinner.

Protein: 9.4 g
Calories: 302kcal
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: LavenderAndMacarons
Bonus: cheesy, creamy

This creamy and scrumptious Eggplant Gratin is smothered with a secret white sauce and topped with a generous layer or Gruyere cheese. It is a side dish that is so easy to make and will be gone before you know it.

Protein: 13g
Calories: 490kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: CookedAndLoved
Bonus: simple, flavourful

For a more satiating and hearty version of the Italian classic, try this Eggplant Caprese Salad with sweet tomatoes, basil, mozzarella and aged balsamic vinegar topped with some aromatic crispy garlic. This gluten-free and low-carb-friendly salad meal can be served as a light main or as a side dish.

Protein: 3g
Calories: 162kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ItsNotComplicated
Bonus: tender, vegan

These Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables will become a regular inclusion in your meal plans. The oven-roasted vegetables are quickly and easily prepared and are a great way to get your family to enjoy more vegetables. The delicious vegetables are drizzled with basil oil and complement so many dishes.

Protein: 9 g
Calories: 391kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: YumVeganLunchIdeas
Bonus: smokey, vegan

This moroccan eggplant salad is the perfect summer BBQ salad recipe (try these other veggie bbq recipes for more inspo!). With delicate Moroccan spices, a smokey BBQ flavour, roasted chickpeas, fresh rocket leaf salad and a zesty dressing – this is a must try. BBQ eggplant is creamy and flavorsome.

Veggie Eggplant Snacks and Appetisers

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: easy, mega delicious, nutritious and versatile dish

The vegetarian Christmas dilemma is solved with these amazing sides – Christmas feasts are better and more vegetarian than ever!

Protein: 13 g
Calories: 550kcal
Ready in: 2 hours
Recipe by: ThisWifeCooks
Bonus: creamy, garlicky

This company-worthy soup is elegant, rich with flavor and completely indulgent!

Protein: 1g
Calories: 172kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: TheSassyFoodie
Bonus: tasty, creamy, and so versatile dip

Roasted eggplant dip, or baba ganoush, has always been a favourite of mine. It’s a blend of creamy, smokey, deliciousness. What’s not to love?

Protein: negligible
Calories: 252kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: BiteSizedKitchen
Bonus: easy, healthy and so yummy

Turn french fries into a healthy appetizer with these Crispy Oven Baked Eggplant Fries (why not serve with one of these easy dip recipes?)! They’re baked in the oven until crispy on the outside and tender inside. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce at your next party!

Protein: 6g
Calories: 357kcal
Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: CarolinesCooking
Bonus: so simple but delicious and flavorful

Easy to make, comforting and delicious, this roasted eggplant with tahini is perfect as an appetizer or part of a mezze.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 266kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThatGirlCooksHealthy
Bonus: quick, easy, authentic and healthy dip

This delicious eggplant dip called Baigan Choka can be made on the stovetop or oven and tastes equally as good.

Protein: 1g
Calories: 86kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: ItSavegWorldAfterAll
Bonus: easy to make, creamy, healthy and versatile

A simple and easy dip recipe with roasted eggplant, roasted red pepper, roasted garlic.

Protein: 1g
Calories: 46kcal
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: HappyKitchenRocks
Bonus: beautiful, vegan

These Georgian Eggplant Rolls With Walnut Filling are a delightfully simply, healthy vegan appetizer. Three ingredients, some artfully chosen spices, and less than an hour of time and you have a vegan treat for the tastebuds with these walnut stuffed eggplant rolls.

Protein: 16g
Calories: 316kcal
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: CulinaryGinger
Bonus: quick, easy, healthy, so delicious

The eggplant is grilled instead of breaded and fried. It is then rolled up with homemade ricotta, fresh basil, Parmesan, fresh lemon and a hint of nutmeg. These eggplant rollatini make great appetizers or an entreé served with your favorite tomato sauce.

Protein: 5g
Calories: 83kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: Cooktoria
Bonus: so delicious, easy and soft appetizer

Tender baked eggplant stuffed with creamy goat cheese, juicy tomato and basil.

Protein: 6g
Calories: 158kcal
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: TheGreekFoodie
Bonus: crispy, crunchy and delicious

Have you tried eggplant fritters – melitzanokeftedes? They are so easy to make and have a divine flavor! These eggplant fritters will have everyone begging you for the recipe.

Bonus: smoky, soft and beautifully delicious dip 🙂

Baba Ganoush – (Eggplant Dip / Aubergine Dip) Flatbreads and pitas go perfectly with this beautiful fusion of Arab-Mediterranean cuisines. Make it right away!

Vegetarian Eggplant Recipes FAQs

How many calories in an eggplant?

1 cup of cubed eggplant contains 20 calories.

Why do you soak eggplant in water before cookings?

Soaking the eggplant in salty water before cooking helps to reduce bitterness and stop it absorbing oil.

Salting it and leaving it to dry out on kitchen roll has a similiar effect. It also helps it to keep its shape and improves the texture when cooked.

Nowadays, eggplants have had a lot of the bitterness bred out of them, so salting and/or soaking is less important for that purpose, more for the sake of oil absorption and texture.

Is eggplant good for vegetarians?

Yes! They are low fat, high fibre and contain lots of heart healthy antioxidants. What’s more they are versatile and can be used in many different vegetarian recipes.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggplant?

Baked is always the healthiest way! Eggplants usually need to be prepared using some kind of oil, so be sure to use a healthy oil like olive oil. Roasted/ baked aubergine is truly delicious!

What does eggplant pair well with?

Goats cheese, parmesan, tomato, fresh herbs, garlic, olives. And some more intriguing flavours such as chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg, and artichoke!

We hope you enjoyed trying out these delicious vegetarian aubergine recipes! Let us know which were your favourites in the comments below!