This rich and cheesy Eggplant Lasagna features tender roasted eggplant beautifully layered with homemade marinara and creamy ricotta. It's a hearty, healthy and delicious dish the whole family will love.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love this Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
• 🛒 What's in Eggplant Lasagna
• 🔪 How to Make Healthy Eggplant Lasagna
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 💡 Tips for Buying Eggplant
• How Do You Cut Eggplant for Lasagna?
• Why is My Eggplant Lasagna Watery?
• Do I Have to Peel Eggplant?
• Is Eggplant Good For You?
• How Many Carbs are in Eggplant Lasagna?
• More Italian Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love this Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

• All the same flavors as lasagna, without all the carbs
• Tender layers of roasted eggplant
• Quick and easy homemade Italian meat sauce
• Blend of creamy ricotta, grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil
• Made with all healthy ingredients

If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional lasagna, this triple cheese lasagna is a must-try! The star of this dish is the roasted eggplant, which acts as sheets of lasagna noodles. Slices of eggplant not only add a lot of flavor and texture to the lasagna, but they're also much lower in carbs than pasta.

A flavorful homemade Italian meat sauce ties together all the cheesy eggplant layers, creating a wholesome and satisfying entire meal in one dish. And the best part? This is one hearty meal you can feel good about feeding your family.

If you have leftover eggplant, you should also try this incredible Crispy Fried Eggplant or this amazing Eggplant Parmesan.

Serve a small portion of this eggplant lasagna with a cup of italian penicillin soup on the side. It only takes 15 minutes to make and it's the perfect soup to warm you up!

🛒 What's in Eggplant Lasagna

• Ground beef
• Crushed tomatoes
• White wine
• Eggplant
• Mozzarella cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil
• Egg
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Saucepan
• 9 x 13 casserole baking dish
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

🔪 How to Make Healthy Eggplant Lasagna

To Prepare the Eggplant

Peel and slice the eggplant into thin slices, about ¼ inch thick.

Lay the slices on paper towels and sprinkle with half the salt (reserving the rest for the ricotta filling). Create layers of eggplant, salt, and paper towels.  Allow it to sit for 15 minutes while you prepare the sauce.

Tip: Salting the eggplant helps to draw out any extra moisture and any bitterness in the seeds of the eggplant.

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

To Make the Italian Meat Sauce

Heat a saucepan to medium and add the ground beef, salt, and pepper.

Cook until browned, then push the meat aside and add the olive oil and garlic.

Sauté the garlic for about 10 seconds, then pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan.

Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan, then pour in the tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper.

Simmer on medium-low for 20 minutes with an offset lid.

To Roast the Eggplant

Lightly brush or spray each slice of eggplant and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until tender.

Add the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, grated garlic, egg, basil, and remaining salt to a large mixing bowl.

Mix until well combined, and set aside.

To Assemble the Eggplant Lasagna

Brush or spray olive oil on the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole baking dish.  Add a thin layer of the sauce to the bottom of the dish, then add the roasted eggplant. 

Depending on the size of your eggplant, you should have enough to create 4 layers, with 4 slices in each layer.

Tip: You’ll want to divide the ricotta mixture, sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese into 4 parts, so you have an even amount for each layer.

Spread ¼ of the ricotta cheese mixture over the eggplant.

Spoon ¼ of the meat sauce over the cheese.

Add ¼ the mozzarella cheese, then repeat the process with the remaining ingredients until you have all four layers.

Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

☑️ Storage Instructions

How Long is Eggplant Lasagna Good in the Fridge?

Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container and it should stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze Uncooked Eggplant Lasagna?

While freezing it may slightly change the texture, freezing uncooked eggplant lasagna is an excellent way to have a delicious meal handy when you need it on a busy weeknight.   

Just assemble it according to the instructions in this recipe and cover it tightly with a couple of layers of plastic wrap. For extra measure, then wrap in a layer of foil. Uncooked eggplant lasagna can typically be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When you're ready to bake it, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge.

💡 Tips for Buying Eggplant

• Choose firm, smooth eggplants: When buying eggplants, look for ones that are firm to the touch and have smooth skin. Eggplants with wrinkles, soft spots, or blemishes mean they are aged.

• Check the color: The color should be vibrant and shiny without any dull patches which could mean it has been mishandled or dropped.

• Size matters: One of the keys to not having bitter-tasting eggplant is to go for the smaller to medium and more slender ones. The larger eggplants grow, the more bitter they can become. It’s better to buy two small ones than it is to buy a huge one.

• Store at room temperature: If you plan to use eggplant the same day or the next day you can store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Refrigerate if needed: If you won't be using the eggplant immediately, store it in the vegetable crisper drawer of your refrigerator.  

• Avoid cutting before use: Try to avoid cutting or slicing eggplant until you're ready to cook it.  Cut surfaces can quickly brown and deteriorate

How Do You Cut Eggplant for Lasagna?

For it to best resemble lasagna noodles, I always recommend slicing it lengthwise. Of course, you can also cut the slices into thin disk shapes if you prefer.

Why is My Eggplant Lasagna Watery?

If your eggplant lasagna is too runny, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent it. Eggplants naturally contain a lot of water that can be released during cooking, making the lasagna watery. To fix this, you can sprinkle salt on the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This helps draw out excess moisture. Afterward, pat the eggplant slices dry with paper towels before using them in the lasagna.

Another reason is that your sauce consistency is too watery. To prevent this, make sure your sauce is cooked to a thick and rich consistency like this recipe. You also want to avoid adding too much sauce.

Do I Have to Peel Eggplant?

Peeling is a personal preference. The skin of younger eggplants is tender and doesn't need to be peeled, but you can peel it if desired. I prefer to leave the skin on because it helps hold it together when it's baked.

Is Eggplant Good For You?

You bet!  Eggplant is a nutritious and healthy vegetable for any diet. It’s low in calories and high in fiber. It also contains essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and folate.

How Many Carbs are in Eggplant Lasagna?

There are several things that can determine how many carbs. The main thing you need to look out for is added sugar in store-bought marinara sauces. This recipe uses homemade meat sauce with zero added sugar, bringing the carb to just 9 net grams per serving.

Another great hearty and delicious casserole to try is this keto mexican chicken casserole! Also try these smoked meatballs that are loaded with great smoky flavor!

If you prefer a no-meat Vegetarian lasagna, try this summer lasagna or this vegetable lasagna with white sauce!

Also be sure to try this slow cooker lasagna soup that has all the same great flavors, plus lasagna noodles for a hearty and delicious dinner! If you're not concerned with carbs, try this ravioli lasagna that's made with, you guessed it... ravioli!

If you want something without meat, try this ricotta bake that's also low carb and high protein, but has many of the same delicious flavors!

More Italian Recipes

• Baked Italian Meatballs
• Spaghetti Squash Casserole
• Zucchini Rollatini
• Chicken Parmesan
• Cheese Stuffed Italian Peppers