Eggplant Stuffed Shells

by Erin

I fell in love with the eggplant burgers I made last week. So much in love that I wanted to try stuffing them into pasta and covering them in sauce. And that’s exactly what I did. Changed a few little things in the eggplant to go along with the Italian flavors, and then sauced it up with not one but TWO sauces. You will have leftover marinara sauce, but I assure you it will not go to waste.

And these stuffed morsels? I was at a loss for words after the first bite. It may take a but of time, but good grief was is more than worth it! Make it. Now. I promise you will fall in love – again.

Ingredients:

MARINARA SAUCE

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can whole tomatoes

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp fresh thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp paprika

4 oz mascarpone cheese

2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped

2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

EGGPLANT & SHELLS

20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked

2 large eggplants, peeled and cubed

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

1 cup shredded Mozzarella

1 cup plain bread crumbs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Pinch of salt and black pepper

Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish

BECHAMEL SAUCE

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

4 tsp all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

1/4 cup milk, at room temperature

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
  2. First, make the marinara sauce. In a sauce pan, heat the olive oil and cook the onions for 4-5 minutes, add the garlic and roast for another 2-3 minutes. Pour in the can of tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes.
  3. Using an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender), puree until you reach a desired consistency. Turn heat to low and cover until ready to assemble the shells.
  4. For the eggplant, heat a tablepsoon of oil over medium-low in a large pan and cook the cubed eggplant down to a mushy mass, stirring occasionally for approximately 25 minutes. Remove it from the pan and put it in a large bowl.
  5. In the same pan, lightly sauté the onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add to the bowl of cooked eggplant.
  6. Stir in the parsley, Mozzarella, bread crumbs, and seasonings into the eggplant mixture. Get in there with your hands and mix it up. Set in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to chill.
  7. Meanwhile, prepare the bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a non-stick sauce pan and slowly add the flour a teaspoon at a time, whisking until well blended (about 3 minutes). Next, whisk in the cream and milk and increase the heat to high until the sauce begins to simmer. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg- cook for another 3 minute then turn heat to low and allow to sit until time to assemble the stuffed shells.
  8. Pour the bechamel sauce into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Scoop a few tablespoons of eggplant filling inside each cooked shell. Place each pasta shell in the sauce, seam up. Dollop a spoonful of the marinara sauce over each shell. Cover the dish with foil and bake it for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake it for a final 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, if desired, and serve immediately.

Source: Stuffing adapted from Eggplant Veggie Burgers. Sauces adapted from Kitchen Belleicious.

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15 comments

Tracey August 11, 2011 - 1:58 pm

You are a genius my friend! I haven’t had eggplant all summer, and I’m so craving it. I think I’ll whip a batch of these up for lunches the next few days.

Reply
spiffycookie August 12, 2011 - 9:34 am

Aww thanks :-) I might need to make it again! My boyfriend has moved to Cape Girardeau, MO before I made these and he requested I save him some… there are four shells left he better get here soon!

Reply
Stefanie August 10, 2011 - 10:34 pm

These shells look amazing! I love eggplant, and am always interested in more ways to cook with it, and this is definitely one to try. And the bechamel and marinara combo sounds perfect!

Reply
German Mama August 10, 2011 - 12:33 pm

This looks great. I also like to make stuffed shells, despite all the work. I haven’t tried eggplant stuffing yet, so I’ll give this a try.

Reply
spiffycookie August 10, 2011 - 12:35 pm

Let me know what you think!

Reply
Kelly August 10, 2011 - 10:38 am

Wow this looks fantastic!! I love making stuffed shells and would love to try this recipe :)

Reply
spiffycookie August 10, 2011 - 10:39 am

It’s my favorite recipe of the month that I’ve made so far!

Reply
faith @ for the health of it August 10, 2011 - 10:28 am

Hi Erin! I just found your website and I’m seriously drooling over this recipe. I’ve been on a huge eggplant kick lately and of course, anything smothered in marinara is going to steal my heart…I can’t wait to try this one out…and read ore of your recipes, of course!

Reply
spiffycookie August 10, 2011 - 10:32 am

Hey there! Glad you have found me and thanks for the compliments :-)

Reply
Danielle @ Runs With Spatulas August 10, 2011 - 10:13 am

This does look delicious! Love that you used two different sauces!

Reply
spiffycookie August 10, 2011 - 10:33 am

The extra work for two sauces was completely worth it

Reply
Kitchen Belleicious August 9, 2011 - 2:25 pm

Thanks so much for using and linking to my sauce! I love this idea of using eggplant. It looks absolutely delicious and I only wish I had it for dinner tonight. Great creativity and just what I love about what I am seeing on your blog! keep it up!

Reply
spiffycookie August 9, 2011 - 2:26 pm

Thanks! And you’re welcome, your sauces were great.

Reply
Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) August 9, 2011 - 11:04 am

I love stuffed shells! I love the idea of putting eggplant in them…genius!

Reply
spiffycookie August 9, 2011 - 11:06 am

Oh my goodness it was soooo goood!

Reply

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