There are dishes that smell like home, past summers, and happy memories: baked eggplant pizzaiola is one of them.
A simple recipe made with a few genuine ingredients — tomatoes, garlic, oil, chili pepper, and parsley — but capable of delivering a unique, intense, and light flavor at the same time.
I prepare them the way my mother did, who in turn learned from my aunt, the queen of this dish. She always managed to achieve that perfect balance between crispy crust and juicy heart, and every time I cook them, it feels like going back to that family kitchen full of fragrances and chatter.
Baked eggplant pizzaiola is ideal as a side dish, a vegetarian main course, or even served as an appetizer, perhaps accompanied by good bread to soak up the sauce.
An easy, light, and fail-proof recipe: perfect for those who love the simple and authentic flavors of Italian tradition.
Before moving on to the recipe, I remind you of other versatile vegetarian ideas:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Rest time: 20 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Oven, Electric Oven, Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer, Autumn
- Energy 84.07 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 12.44 (g) of which sugars 8.83 (g)
- Proteins 2.67 (g)
- Fat 2.83 (g) of which saturated 0.38 (g)of which unsaturated 0.12 (g)
- Fibers 6.26 (g)
- Sodium 528.13 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 200 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants
- 1 3/4 lbs ripe, fresh tomatoes
- salt
- chili pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 bunch parsley
- extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- 1 Colander
- 1 Baking Dish
Preparation
First, wash and clean the eggplants well, then slice them into rather thin slices.
Transfer them to a colander, add a pinch of salt, cover with a small weight (such as a plate with a bottle of water on top), and let them drain for about half an hour. During this time, they will lose excess water, and their flavor will be more delicate.
If you’re short on time, you can also let them rest just for the time needed to prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Meanwhile, wash and chop the tomatoes into small pieces, finely chop garlic and parsley, which will be used to season the eggplants before cooking.
The process is really simple.
Take a baking dish and start arranging the eggplant slices on the bottom, forming a uniform first layer.
Cover with a few tablespoons of chopped tomatoes, a pinch of salt, a little chili pepper to add character, and finish with chopped garlic and parsley.
Continue this way until all the ingredients are used up, alternating layers of eggplant and seasoning.
Bake our eggplant pizzaiola in the preheated oven at 428°F and let them cook for about 20 minutes.
The time may vary slightly depending on the oven, so towards the end, check the cooking: the eggplants should be well-dried and crispy on the surface.
NOTES
When they are ready, you can serve them immediately, hot and golden, or enjoy them even at room temperature: they will still be delicious and light, perfect for any occasion.
If you prefer an even quicker version, you can cook the eggplant pizzaiola in the air fryer at 392°F for about 15-20 minutes. The result will still be crispy, fragrant, and irresistible, just like in the oven.
A simple and genuine dish that brings to the table all the flavor of tradition and family memories ❤
If you enjoyed the recipe or have questions, don’t hesitate to comment here or on social media Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and X.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I prepare eggplant pizzaiola in advance?
Yes! Eggplant pizzaiola can also be prepared a few hours in advance. They are excellent both hot and at room temperature, and they keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
Can they be cooked in the air fryer instead of the oven?
Absolutely! Cook them at 392°F for 15-20 minutes, until they become crispy and golden. The result will be light and flavorful, just like the oven version.
