What happens when you combine parmesan risotto and super thin strips of cooked eggplant? Eggplant Rollatini of course!! It’s one of my most favorite comfort meals and it’s even better if you have any leftovers!!
When I first started making risotto I felt pretty damn fancy! I remember when I was a kid and I’d see it on a menu it always sounded SO grown up. So naturally when I started making it myself I was pretty pumped. But guess what guys… it’s actually incredibly easy! It’s just a simple rice dish and it just requires a bit of attention as you have to semi-continually stir it while you’re cooking. But other than that, it’s a no brainer!
I make it for most special occasions when I’m not in the mood for meat. This Eggplant Rollatini is a perfect main course or side dish and you can flavor the risotto however you want. This time it’s a Parm risotto but the magic REALLY happens when you take a few tablespoons of the rice, roll it up in a piece of eggplant and then bake it off for a hot second. It’s magical. And you’re going to want it this holiday season for sure.
Want even more risotto inspired recipes:
- Tomato Risotto
- Caramelized Onion Risotto
- Cacio e Pepe Risotto
- Carrot and Parmesan Risotto
- Mushroom Risotto
- Fresh Pea Risotto
Eggplant Rollatini
Ingredients
For the Risotto
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 1 cup Arborio Rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For the eggplant:
- 2 large eggplants
- Olive oil for brushing
- 1 15-ounce jar marinara sauce
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
For the Risotto
- In a large skillet heat the butter over medium high heat. Add the shallot and garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the rice to the skillet, and stir for 1 minute to just toast the rice.
- Once the rice has slightly toasted, add the white wine and stir to combine. Wait until all the wine has been absorbed and then start adding the chicken stock 1/2 cup at a time, making sure to let each batch of chicken stock absorb before adding the next. Continue to stir the risotto the entire time, about 25-30 minutes. Once you’ve added all your stock, and the rice is tender, remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and mascarpone cheese. Season with salt and pepper as needed and transfer to a bowl to cool.
For the Eggplant
- Slice the ends off of the eggplant. Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch lengthwise slices (long slices, not circles), about 6 slices total per eggplant. Liberally salt the slices and transfer them into a colander for about 1 hour. Rinse the salt off the eggplant and press with paper towels to dry.
- Heat a skillet on the stove with high heat. Brush both sides of the eggplant liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on both sides until the eggplant is pliable. Remove the eggplant once cooked and place on a large baking sheet to cool.
To Assemble
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of a small baking dish. Add a few spoonfuls of the cooled risotto on top of the eggplant slices, roll the eggplant up and place seam side down in baking dish. Repeat this with the remaining risotto and eggplant and then add a spoonful of the remaining marinara sauce on top of each. Dust with shredded Parmesan cheese. Transfer the baking dish into the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese and shredded basil if desired.
Recipe adapted from my baller godmother The Italian Dish – just patiently waiting for her to take me to Italy!! xx
Now that’s the way to eat eggplant! What a great recipe, Gaby.
This looks SO awesome! Headed over to get the recipe!
Gaby- my mouth is watering…..
Omigosh – this is quickly going to be my new favorite!!!!
OH MY!! I need this in my life ASAP 🙂
That is some serious good lookin eats!
LOVE eggplant. What a great combo, Gaby! And that pan is too cute. 😉
This is exactly what I want to eat … right now! Looks perfect.
This is definitely a meatless Monday win! Pinned.
Can’t express how much I adore this!! Such a brilliant idea!
Love this! My kind of meal!
This looks great!! Love the quick video too. Definitely making this 🙂
YUM! This looks absolutely perfect for Meatless Mondays! Definitely making this asap!
I’ve been eating less and less meat and more vegetarian. Great recipe idea!
Rollatini is literally one of the only ways I enjoy eggplant. This looks amazing!
Great way to use eggplant (which not many people do sadly).
This is such a smart idea! Love your creativity!
I was just looking for eggplant dishes to manage what’s coming out of the garden, and I love this way of using them!
I love this idea! A combo of two of my favorite things – eggplant and risotto!
This looks fantastic! I’ve got to add this to my list of must try recipes!
you combined two of my faves! LOVE!
This looks gorgeous! Perfect vegetarian comfort food! Pia has requested that I make this vegan for her- I’m on it!
Made this last night for eight. Everyone absolutely raved about it. I never made risotto but will definitely make it again with this recipe! And it smells wonderful too. Thanks, Gaby!
LOVE hearing that! Thanks Kathy
Is it possible to make this a day ahead? I’m thinking of making it for Christmas dinner this year after Prime Rib on Christmas Eve, this sounds delicious but I don’t have much time on that day.
yes!! it would be great a day ahead of time
What size baking dish do you recommend?
at least 9×9
So excited to make this! If making it a day ahead would you bake and then just reheat the next day? Or complete recipe up to the assembly and then just bake before serving? Thank you!
up to assembly and then bake the next day!
Thank you so much!!
Hi Gaby!
This past year on received THE BEST eggplant Parmesan recipe ever from an Italian friend. She peels the eggplant, which makes it genius. No bitter peel, or long pieces of peel coming off as you eat it. You do get the bonus points for salting the eggplant!
Tina
Show stopper and so delish!
Should the eggplant be pealed? Just wondering about the end slices. Looks delicious and so healthy.
you can peel it if you prefer!
This was yummy. It took a little longer than I thought to prepare but well worth it. I never have had luck with risotto but this was easy and delicious. I will make this again and probably double recipe, one for freezer. Thank you Gaby!
So good!! Beautiful and delicious.
I love to try new recipes! I’ve never cooked with eggplant before and my husband says he doesn’t really like it. But he always challenges me to to change his mind about food so I gave this recipe a try! What a hit! A labor of love but worth it 🙂 He went for seconds and my 20 month old wanted to eat all the eggplant first! Great family dinner!
I am wondering if this can be made a day early? Or if some parts of it coud?
yes you totally could prep ahead
Getting more vegetarian dishes on the table and this is just amazing. Even my picky husband LOVES it. Thank you.
Any advise for cutting thin long slices evenly? Always have trouble with that!
mine never end up super even either! It’s ok
Can this be made ahead of time and frozen till used? Any tips?
What a great idea!! I can’t wait to try this! 2 of my favorite things – eggplant and risotto!!
How can you possibly state that this recipe requires 10 min. prep time when making the filling takes at least 30 min. and the eggplant another hour before it can be filled and baked! I also would like to understand why you label recipes at “new” when the majority are many years old and don’t have anything updated or changed (unless it’s the photos).
prep time is the time is takes to get the recipe ready. the risotto making is included in the cooking time as you’re cooking the risotto
What could you use in place of the mascarpone cheese want to make this tonight but don’t have that. Should I just skip it or could I use mozzarella cheese as a replacement?
cream cheese would be a good replacement
I made this for the first time last night for company. I needed a vegetarian recipe for one of my guests and this was the perfect dish. Wow! It was such a hit. As with all of Gaby’s recipes, the flavor was incredible and the presentation was beautiful. You are definitely my “go-to” Gaby! I love everything you create.
Made this for a small dinner party and it was fantastic. I prepared it one day ahead and baked the day of. The risotto in this recipe is so good. I had to make myself stop taste testing it. Instead of pan frying the eggplant slices I placed them on sheet pans and brushed olive oil, salt and pepper on them. I then baked for 8 mins flipped and baked 8 more minutes (375 degrees). I’ve done this before with another rollatini recipe and it works well. Thanks for another great recipe, Gaby. Happy New Year.
This recipe is amazing! I’m trying to make 1 recipe from Gaby per week, and they never disappoint!
One question – for the skillet, do you use a regular sized pan? I used my largest pan which only fit 2-3 slices of eggplant at a time, and cooking each side for 2-3 minutes took forever with all of the egg plant slices. Any suggestions?
i use a large cast iron about 12 inches