Eggplant Involtini with Ricotta Spinach Filling consist of oven roasted eggplant slices wrapped around a savory ricotta-spinach filling that are topped with a simple tomato sauce and baked until bubbly. Serve this delicious dish as an appetizer; side dish or enjoy as a vegetarian main course.
Course antipasto, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Sicilian-Italian
Keyword eggplant rolls filled with ricotta and spinach topped with tomato sauce
85gramsfrozen spinach(3 cubes) defrosted and excess water squeezed out
1largeegg
1/4cupParmesan cheesegrated
pinchnutmeg
1/4tspsalt
pepperto taste
For assembling
1cupprepared tomato sauce
2tbsp.Parmesan cheesegrated
fresh basil leavesto garnish
Instructions
Prepare the eggplant
Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch thin slices. Place the slices in a large bowl adding salt to each layer of eggplant. Cover with water, place a plate over the eggplants to keep them submerged in the water. Let sit for 30 minutes then drain, rinse and pat the slices dry.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Brush both sides with olive oil, salt lightly and bake for 20 minutes, flipping the slices over halfway through.
For the filling
In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients for the filling from the ricotta to the salt and pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
To assemble
Coat the bottom of a baking dish with tomato sauce and lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
When the eggplant slices are cool enough to handle, place a tablespoonful of the filling on the lower end of the eggplant. Tightly roll the eggplant around the ricotta filling.
Arrange the eggplant involtini seam side down in the baking dish. Cover with the remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes. Top with fresh basil leaves and serve.
Notes
Be sure not to slice your eggplant too thin or the slices may tear or break apart when rolling.
The end slices of the eggplant are usually too short for rolling around the filling. Bake those slices and enjoy as is!
Use whichever tomato or marinara sauce you have on hand, whether it is homemade or store bought. I often freeze leftover sauce when I make Sicilian pasta al forno, for example, to have on hand for recipes such as this one.
I prefer a light sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on my involtini for a lighter dish, however you may top yours with shredded mozzarella cheese if you prefer
If you prefer a ricotta only filling, simply eliminate the spinach from this recipe.
Keep leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Save time by oven roasting the eggplant slices a day ahead, or assemble the complete dish a day ahead and bake the day of serving.
Please note that the nutritional information provided is approximate and may vary according to exact ingredients used and portion size.