Have you ever had an overflowing bounty of eggplants in your garden and desperately looked for more ways to use them up beyond the usual ratatouille or eggplant parmesan?
I’m excited to share with you all today my favorite recipe: eggplant pizza recipe. This pizza is the perfect solution – a fresh, low-carb twist on everyone’s favorite take-out order.
The melty cheese and smoky roasted eggplant are a match made in flavor heaven. Plus, it’s so easy to throw together, that you’ll be enjoying your slice in no time!
Overview Of Eggplant Pizza
This easy eggplant pizza recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional pizza. It’s perfect for those looking to reduce their carb intake or simply add more vegetables to their diet.
Eggplant Pizza embodies the perfect marriage of health and taste, eggplant is low in carbs and high in fiber which aids digestion. Eggplant pizza is not just a dish, it’s a celebration of flavor, health, and culinary creativity.
Ingredients That You Need For Eggplant Pizza Recipe
Let’s now turn our attention to the flavorful ingredients that bring this Eggplant Pizza to life. They are respectively:
1. Eggplants: The star of our dish. Look for medium-sized eggplants with taut, glossy skin.
2. Olive oil: Enhances the flavor of the eggplant and helps it achieve a crispy, golden exterior when baked.
3. Pizza sauce: A rich, tomato-based sauce adds a wonderful tangy flavor that balances the richness of the cheese. If you want to add some heat, consider using a spicy pizza sauce.
4. Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and savory depth to the pizza. Sautéing the onions beforehand softens their texture and brings out their natural flavors.
5. Garlic cloves: The secret ingredient that adds an irresistible aroma and flavor to our pizza.
6. Baby spinach: This leafy green packs in plenty of nutrients and a mild, earthy flavor. It also adds a pop of color to the pizza.
7. Mushrooms: Another nutritious addition that brings an umami flavor to our pizza.
8. Pepper: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and adds a bit of kick to the pizza.
9. Bell pepper: Adds a touch of sweetness and crunch to our pizza. You can use any color bell pepper you prefer or mix them up for added visual appeal.
10. Mozzarella cheese: A classic pizza cheese that provides a creamy, stretchy texture and mild taste.
11. Fresh oregano: Fresh herbs bring a vibrant, aromatic note to our pizza. Oregano pairs particularly well with tomato-based sauces.
12. Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances out the acidity in the pizza sauce and adds a touch of sweetness to the overall flavor profile.
13. Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients in our pizza.
Remember, the quality of your ingredients can make or break your eggplant pizza, so choose them with care.
How To Make Eggplant Pizza?
Creating this Eggplant Pizza is a breeze! With a few simple steps, you’ll have a scrumptious, nutritious dish that your entire family will adore.
Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Preparing For Baking
Begin by warming up your oven. Set it to a cozy 400°F (204°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
Step 2: Slicing The Eggplants
Grab your eggplants and slice them into rounds, aiming for a thickness of about 1/3 inch. This specific thickness helps the eggplants to cook thoroughly without losing their form.
Step 3: Oil and Season
Take a small brush and lightly dab each eggplant round with olive oil on both sides. Follow this up by seasoning them with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Baking The Eggplants
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and gently lay out the eggplant slices, ensuring they don’t overlap.
Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Allow the eggplants to bake peacefully for about 15-20 minutes until each piece is tender and has a beautiful golden hue.
Step 5: Preparing The Toppings
While the eggplants bake, prepare your toppings. Sauté onions, chop bell peppers, slice mushrooms, and tear baby spinach leaves in prep for topping.
Step 6: Adding The Sauce
Once the eggplants are baked to perfection, pull them out of the oven. Carefully spoon pizza sauce onto each slice, covering them with just the right amount for flavor.
Step 7: Topping With Veggies
Evenly distribute your prepared onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach over each sauced eggplant slice.
Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese atop the vegetable-laden eggplant slices, readying them for their final culinary transformation.
Step 8: Final Bake For Cheese
Return the now-loaded eggplant slices to the oven for a brief 5-minute bake, just until the cheese melts into bubbly, golden bliss.
Step 9: Ready To Serve
With the final bake complete, take the eggplant pizzas out of the oven. Finalize each slice with a touch of fresh oregano for that extra dash of flavor.
Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy your homemade and healthy Eggplant Pizza!
Tips To Make a Perfect Eggplant Pizza
Embarking on your eggplant pizza adventure is an exciting endeavor, and to make your experience even more delightful, here are some tips and tricks to consider.
1. Choose the Right Eggplant: Look for eggplants with smooth, shiny skin and no blemishes.
2. Salt Your Eggplant: Before baking, sprinkle your eggplant slices with salt and let them sit for about 20 minutes. This step helps to draw out the liquid and can reduce any potential bitterness.
3. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can enhance the flavor of your pizza. Add them towards the end of the baking process to preserve their flavor and color.
4. Watch Your Pizza: Keep a close eye on your eggplant pizzas during the final bake to prevent the cheese from burning.
The best part about making your own eggplant pizza is having the ability to customize it to your taste.
Conclusion
This eggplant pizza recipe is an excellent choice for those seeking a healthier alternative to traditional pizza. It lets you enjoy the classic flavors of pizza while incorporating nutritious ingredients like eggplant, spinach, and bell peppers.
The beauty of this dish lies in its flexibility, allowing you to adjust the toppings based on your dietary preferences or the ingredients you have on hand. Not only is it simple to make, but the end result is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.
So, the next time you’re craving pizza, reach for an eggplant and give this recipe a try!
Eggplant Pizza
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized eggplants
- Olive oil for brushing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 small onion, diced and sautéed
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the eggplants into discs about 1/3 inch thick. Sprinkle salt on both sides and place them in a colander for 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Rinse the salt off the eggplant slices and pat them dry.
- Brush olive oil on both sides of the eggplant slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the eggplants are slightly golden and tender.
- In a small saucepan, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add in your pizza sauce, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook for 10 minutes until the sauce is slightly reduced.
- Assemble your pizza by spreading the pizza sauce over each eggplant slice.
- Add baby spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, and oregano on top of the sauce.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for an extra burst of flavor.