Baked Eggplant Rollatini

Fall in love with the flavors of this cheesy eggplant rollatini! No breading, no oils, just cooked eggplant stuffed with ricotta, parmesan cheese, and lots of fresh basil. Then baked to perfection with freshly grated cheese and rich tomato sauce – the most delicious meatless dinner that the whole family will love.

A white dish with eggplant rollatini in it, topped with fresh herbs. The dish is sitting on a wooden background with a cheese rind, napkin, and a small bowl of red pepper flakes arranged around it.

Over the years I have fallen in love with using eggplant in my recipes – especially in Italian dishes. And today, I’m serving up one of my favorites!

If you’ve never had it before, eggplant rollatini is an Italian dish that consists of thinly sliced eggplant that is traditionally dusted with flour and then “rolled” up with ricotta cheese and an herb filling. The word rollatini in Italy is also known as “involtini” and it refers to food that can be eaten in small bites, or that has been rolled up with a filling.

You’ll find this recipe is a little different than the traditional Italian method. Instead of coating the eggplant in flour and pan-frying before rolling up and baking, the eggplant slices are baked rather than fried without any breading or oils. The results are absolutely delicious and may surprise some who are used to traditional rollatini!

Get ready to serve this one up at your next family gathering. I’m certain it’ll be a hit!

Ingredients – What You Need

This meal requires only 8 ingredients and takes only a few simple steps to make. See the full list of ingredients below!

Ingredients for eggplant rollatini arranged on a wooden board.

Eggplant: use two large eggplants or several smaller eggplants. Be sure they are wide enough to hold your filling when rolled up!
Ricotta cheese: a creamy cheese that is used for the filling that gets rolled up into the eggplant.
Marinara: we love using homemade marinara or Rao’s for store-bought!
Parmesan: freshly grated is recommended! This salty cheese is used in both the filling and on top of the rollatini for flavor.
egg: to help bind the ricotta filling ingredients together.
garlic cloves: fresh garlic is best to flavor the cheese filling, but you can also use garlic powder!
basil: fresh basil is used in the ricotta filling, and it’s a must! I don’t recommend swapping for dried basil, the flavor will not be the same.
Mozzarella cheese: a fresh cheese that is creamy and mild in flavor. This cheese is for sprinkling over top of the rollatini for a melty top!

How to Make Baked Eggplant Rollatini – Step by Step

Preheat oven to 400F

(1) Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick pieces.

(2) Salt the eggplant on both sides with a small pinch of coarse salt. Let it “sweat” the excess moisture out for 10 minutes – then pat dry with paper towels and wipe off the remaining salt.

Two photos in a collage showing make eggplant rollatini. The first photo is showing eggplant slices into thin pieces laying on top of one another. The second photo is the eggplant slices laying on a sheet pan.

(3) Lay eggplant on a lightly greased pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.

(4) In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan, egg, salt & pepper, minced garlic, and fresh basil.

Two photos in a collage showing how to prepare eggplant rollatini. The first photo is eggplant slices cooked on a sheet pan. The second photo is a white bowl with herb ricotta filling ingredients in it on a wooden board.

(5) Then spoon 1-2 Tablespoons of the ricotta filling onto the bottom of the eggplant slice. Roll it up and repeat until the ricotta filling is finished.

(6) In a baking dish, spoon half the sauce onto the bottom and then place the eggplant rolls in the dish.

Two photos in a collage showing how to make eggplant rollatini. The first photo are two hands rolling up a slice of eggplant with cheesing filling in it. The second photo is a white dish with the rolled up eggplant and red sauce in it.

(7) Spoon the remaining sauce over the top of the dish.

(8) Then top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes uncovered. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Two photos in a collage showing how to make eggplant rollatini. The first photo is a spoon pouring red sauce over rolled up eggplant in a white dish. The second photo is a hand sprinkling cheese over the same dish.

Tips for Success

Make sure the eggplant is sliced thin enough. If the eggplant is sliced too thick or unevenly, it will cause the rollatini to bake unevenly, leaving some pieces to be tougher and under-cooked. To ensure the eggplant is evenly cut and properly cooked, your best bet is to use a mandoline and slice each at 1/4 inch thickness.

Additional herbs you can use. What makes this recipe shine is using a ton of fresh basil! But that’s not the only herb you can use. This recipe also tastes wonderful with fresh oregano! And even fresh thyme or Italian parsley. If you’d like to add a little heat, you can also toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb filling too!

Our favorite tomato sauce to use. Choosing a quality tomato sauce for your rollatini matters, because it’s a huge source of the dish’s flavor. If you want to use a store-bought tomato sauce, we recommend Raos! But if you want to make your own sauce, we love serving this with our San Marzano tomato sauce, or, our spicy arrabbiata tomato sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you salt the eggplant? Eggplant is known to have a high water content, so the excess moisture will need to be “sweated” from the eggplant using salt before assembling the dish. If this step is not taken, the water from the eggplant will pour into the whole dish while it bakes, making it a soupy mess, which we want to avoid!

How do you slice eggplant for rollatini? You can cut the eggplant two ways! One by hand with a chef’s knife, this is if you are experienced with a knife and can accurately make precise 1/4 inch cuts. The second way, which I recommend the most, is to use a mandoline slicer.

Do I need to peel the eggplant? Nope! Even though eggplant skin seems tough when it’s uncooked the skin becomes tender and adds so much flavor to this dish once it is cooked.

Is this recipe gluten-free? Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free because it doesn’t use any flour or breadcrumbs for coating the eggplant.

How long do leftovers keep? Leftover rollatini should keep for about 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Make sure leftovers are stored in an air-tight container to keep them fresh.

How to Freeze and Reheat

Reheating tips: preheat oven to 350F, place the rollatini in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat until warm (about 10-15 minutes).

Freezing tips: Prepare rollatini as directed, but don’t bake. Cover completely with plastic wrap first and then foil. Freeze for up to 1-2 months, then let thaw at room temperature and bake as the recipe instructs.

Serving Suggestions

Eggplant rollatini goes perfectly with pasta! We love to serve it with shells, radiatore pasta, or rigatoni. For greens, we recommend Italian-themed salads such as our Tuscan artichoke salad, or this Italian salad! And don’t forget crusty Italian bread for dipping into that cheesy sauce!

Eggplant rollatini with fresh herbs sprinkled over top in a white dish. Next to the dish is a parmesan cheese rind and fresh herbs.

More Italian Eggplant Recipes

Love eggplant as much as I do? Then you may also be a fan of these delicious recipes as well.

If you tried this Baked Eggplant Rollatini recipe or any other recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.

A white dish with eggplant rollatini in it, topped with fresh herbs. The dish is sitting on a wooden background with a cheese rind, napkin, and a small bowl of red pepper flakes arranged around it.

Baked Eggplant Rollatini

4.98 from 45 votes

Fall in love with the flavors of this cheesy eggplant rollatini! No breading, no oils, just cooked eggplant stuffed with ricotta, parmesan cheese, and lots of fresh basil. Then baked to perfection with freshly grated cheese and rich tomato sauce – the most perfect, low carb, Italian dish that the whole family will enjoy. 

Servings 5
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hr

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Tags: baked eggplant rollatini, how to make eggplant rollatini, what is eggplant rollatini
Freezer Friendly: Yes
Calories: 263 kcal
Author: Bethany Kramer

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.

  2. Slice and salt eggplant: First, remove the stems from the eggplant. Cut eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Salt on both sides and let sit to "sweat" for 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towel and wipe off remaining salt. Note: this process removes excess moisture from the eggplant and prevents a watery rollatini.

  3. Bake eggplant: Lay eggplant on a lightly greased pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool. Note: this softens the eggplant so you can easily roll it with the filling.

  4. Mix filling together: While eggplant is baking, add to a bowl: ricotta cheese, parmesan, egg, salt & pepper, minced garlic, and fresh basil. Mix together.

  5. Prepare rollatini: Then spread a layer of half the marinara on the bottom of your casserole or baking dish. After the eggplant has cooled spoon 1-2 Tablespoons of ricotta filling on the eggplant, then roll it up and lay the rollatini in the baking dish with sauce. Repeat until finished.

  6. Bake: Spoon the remainder of the marinara sauce over the rolled-up eggplant, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and a light dusting of parmesan cheese. Cover with foil or lid and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Reheating tips: preheat oven to 350F, place the rollatini in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat until warm (about 10-15 minutes).

Freezing tips: Prepare rollatini as directed, but don’t bake. Cover completely with plastic wrap first and then foil. Freeze for up to 1-2 months, then let thaw at room temperature and bake as the recipe instructs.

 

Nutrition Facts
Baked Eggplant Rollatini
Amount Per Serving
Calories 263 Calories from Fat 96
% Daily Value*
Fat 10.7g16%
Cholesterol 70.3mg23%
Sodium 538.9mg22%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Sugar 11.7g13%
Protein 18.3g37%
Vitamin A 600IU12%
Vitamin C 46.2mg56%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Bethany Kramer

Bethany Kramer is the cook and photographer behind A Simple Palate. She found a deep love for food and nutrition after learning to cook from her mom at eight years old. Since then she’s been developing and sharing recipes from her own kitchen that are bold in flavor and nourishing to the body!

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Recipe Rating




128 Comments

  • Avatar for Julie Julie says:

    5 stars
    Made this tonight for the first time on this stormy day! EXCELLENT!!!! I actually impressed myself! Thank you 👍💯🥰

  • Avatar for Camille Camille says:

    Didn’t expect it to be wha
    Didn’t expect this recipe to be bland
    Making eggplant for many years this recipe should be made differently
    .As an itialiann you know 🍆 needs a good amount of seasing and seasoned and slightly backed or fried before filling with the ricotta. Don’t over bread crumb the eggplant and use very good ricotta and mozzarella and granted cheese. This is a suggestion on how we make this recipe

    .

    • Hi Camille, did you find this recipe bland? I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve not received that feedback before. I also think a quality, richly flavored marinara finishes off the seasoning perfectly. 🙂 Thanks so much for your suggestions!

  • Avatar for Lise Lise says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was so good! Made with fresh eggplant from the garden and homemade marinara sauce with our own tomatoes.

  • Avatar for Katrina Katrina says:

    5 stars
    A hit with everyone—there were no leftovers at all! Husband, daughters and sister were all impressed and thankful to sit down to this delicious and nutritious dinner. Thank you!

  • Avatar for Deb Deb says:

    Can this dish be made ahead of time? I can’t wait to try it.

  • Avatar for Tracey Tracey says:

    5 stars
    I made a half batch of this with one eggplant and it was wonderful.
    Thank you for the recipe.

  • Avatar for Michele Michele says:

    4 stars
    I followed the recipe but found it too peppery. Wondering if 1/2 teaspoon is a misprint.

  • Avatar for marly marly says:

    I want to make this flat, not rollatini. Should I change anything?

  • Avatar for Merejo Merejo says:

    5 stars
    Excellent dish. Easy to prepare. Taste is out of this world. Thank You

  • Avatar for SD SD says:

    5 stars
    This was different and seemed like a healthier option…my husband said it reminded him of his grandmother’s eggplant rollantini! Definitely a keeper and did not miss out on the bread and fried version at all! Have to also say it is easier to make. Thank you and we will be trying your other recipes.

  • Avatar for Marysa Marysa says:

    This looks amazing! I have a friend who makes a lot of rollatini with eggplant and zucchini. Your recipe is easy to follow and I am looking forward to trying it myself.

  • Avatar for Jane Dyal Jane Dyal says:

    Easy to prepare and assemble . Will bake tomorrow and we shall see

  • Avatar for Sue Sue says:

    And I see I didn’t read it all. You do say to sweat the eggplant.

  • Avatar for Sue Sue says:

    Should I sweat the eggplant for this recipe?

  • Avatar for Jill Jill says:

    5 stars
    Wow! Amazing and simple! Thank you for this! No frying, no flour, no breadcrumbs! Just delish!!!!

  • Avatar for Boes Boes says:

    Hello, how many grams is 1 serving exactly?

  • Avatar for David Maslanka David Maslanka says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was a killer! Fantastic, explained everything well. I got rave reviews, I did add a small slice of imported ham on the eggplant before filling and rolling. Will definitely subscribe. Thanks

  • Hi there,

    I just finished reading your post about Baked Eggplant Rollatini, and I must say, it looks absolutely delicious! Your step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow, making this recipe seem doable for even the most inexperienced cooks like myself.

    I appreciate how you included some tips and tricks for prepping the eggplant and filling, as well as suggestions for variations to suit different tastes. The use of ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella in the filling makes for a creamy and flavorful dish, and I love how the eggplant serves as a healthy and hearty substitute for pasta.

    The pictures you included in your post are also mouth-watering, and they make me want to try this recipe right away. I can already imagine the savory aroma of the eggplant baking in the oven!

    Overall, I think this post is a great resource for anyone looking to try a new and delicious recipe. Your attention to detail and easy-to-follow instructions make this recipe seem accessible to even novice cooks like myself. Thank you for sharing your recipe and your expertise, and I look forward to trying it out soon!

  • Avatar for Kathie Kathie says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious I don’t know if I’d ever make eggplant parmigiana again. My Italian husband absolutely loved this. Thank you 😋

    • Avatar for Bethany Bethany says:

      Awww thanks so much, Kathie! And yes, it’s quite the competitor with eggplant parm because it’s less work. 🙂 So glad you both enjoyed it!

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