Eggplant Meatballs

Thanks to these Eggplant Meatballs, Meatless Monday never tasted so good!

If you’ve never tried eggplant meatballs, now is the time to tickle your taste buds and surprise everyone you know with this incredible recipe. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will praise this dish. You can serve these “meatballs” as an appetizer or a main course on a bed of pasta or your favorite veggie noodles.

I also love that you don’t need to make your own sauce for this recipe. Of course, if you enjoy making pasta sauce from scratch, I highly recommend it for this dish. Customizing it to your tastes ensures a spectacular, one-of-a-kind meal. However, jarred sauce is fine if you’re in a pinch and there’s plenty to choose from. Some people opt for the traditional marinara, often recommended for vegetarian meatballs. If you like a spicier sauce, go with a classic arrabbiata sauce. I love a hearty puttanesca sauce with olives and capers, although I do omit the anchovies. The options are endless for this “meatball” recipe.

Are Eggplant Meatballs Healthy?

Incorporating more plant-based meals into our diets is good for the body and the planet. Eggplants bring plenty of health benefits, beginning with the skin containing nasunin, an antioxidant that may protect cell membranes from harmful free radicals that can cause atherosclerosis and cancer. It also contains chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant that may help lower LDL cholesterol and protect against cancer.

The flesh of eggplant contains other essential antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and K, polyphenols, and folate, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. It is low in calories and provides beneficial plant fiber.

Should You Peel the Eggplant Before Cooking?

You may find recipes that recommend peeling the eggplant before or after cooking. I leave the skin on the eggplant for this recipe because it gets soft while cooking and breaks down when you make the meatballs.

The most important thing to remember is that you want to wash and dry the eggplant before cubing, then immediately place it on the baking sheet and in the oven. Eggplant turns color quickly when exposed to air, so don’t leave it sitting out after you cut it.

INGREDIENTS

1 large eggplant (approximately 1½ pounds total)
1 3/4 cups breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, minced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
1/2 cup milk (cow or plant-based)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 large eggs, beaten
16 oz jar pasta sauce
1.5 cups fresh mozzarella, shredded

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Roast eggplant and mix with ingredients.

Form

Shape into balls and bake until golden.

Serve

Simmer in pasta sauce and top with mozzarella.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

This eggplant meatball recipe is easy to make ahead and just as easy to store for the future. You can roast your eggplant for up to 48 hours before making the meatball mixture. Refrigerate the roasted eggplant in an airtight container and place it on the counter for 20 – 30 minutes before making the balls.

Once cooked, store leftover eggplant balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. After cooling overnight, you can freeze the “meatballs” in zipper freezer bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Defrost them overnight in the fridge and reheat them in a skillet or oven.

Can I Use Other Vegetables to Make Vegetarian Meatballs?

When making vegetarian meatballs, zucchini is frequently recommended instead of eggplant. The zucchini might have extra liquid to drain after cooking. You could also use portobello mushrooms for vegetarian balls.

How Can I Make Gluten-Free Eggplant Meatballs?

You can use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or make some from scratch by toasting GF bread and pulsing it into crumbs in a food processor. You could also substitute almond flour or gluten-free oats for the breadcrumbs. To make them dairy-free, use your favorite dairy-free milk and cheese and substitute nutritional yeast for parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestions

These eggplant meatballs’ versatility work with numerous meals. Serve them over your favorite pasta with this delicious Instant Pot Tomato Sauce. Offer them as a fun appetizer alongside Roasted Tomatoes. You can substitute them for the cooked meatballs in this recipe for Meatball Sliders. No matter how you serve them, I doubt you’ll have leftovers!