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Italian Eggplant Rolls

Italian Eggplant Rolls

Involtini is an Italian dish of eggplant planks rolled around a creamy seasoned cheese filling. We wanted to develop a version that was impressive enough to serve a crowd, yet fit within the keto dietguidelines. Traditional recipes require a multistep process of salting the eggplant, breading and frying it, and rolling it around a cheese filling
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large eggplants 1½ pounds each, peeled
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 1 teaspoon table salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon pepper divided
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 4 ounces ½ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 ounce Parmesan cheese grated (½ cup), divided
  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil divided
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 4 ounces whole-milk mozzarella shredded (1 cup)
  • 4 ounces cherry tomatoes quartered

Instructions
 

  • Adjust 1 oven rack to lower-middle position and second rack 8inches from broiler element. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and spray generously with olive oil spray.
  • Slice eggplants lengthwise into ½-inch-thick planks (you should have 12 planks). Trim rounded surface from each end piece so it lies flat. Arrange eggplant slices in single layer on prepared sheets.
  • Brush 1 side of eggplant slices with 3 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Flip and repeat. Bake until tender and lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. Let cool for 5 minutes. Using thin spatula, flip each slice over.
  • While eggplant bakes, cook 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes in 12-inch broiler-safe skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add pork and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and let cool slightly. Stir in ricotta, ¼ cup Parmesan, ¼ cup basil, and lemon juice.
  • With widest ends of eggplant slices facing you, evenly distribute ground pork mixture on bottom third of each slice. Gently roll up each eggplant slice.
  • Heat broiler. Place eggplant rolls seam side down in now-empty skillet. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Transfer skillet to oven and broil until cheese is melted and browned and filling is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle ,with tomatoes and remaining ¼ cup basil and drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Serve.
Keyword Italian Eggplant Rolls