Involtini Melanzane – Delicious Italian Eggplant Rollups
Nothing screams comfort food more than an oven dinner, and these delicious involtini melanzane really take the podium! Imagine eggplant slices baked and then filled with cheese and ham, covered in a delicious tomato sauce, sprinkled with cheese and baked again! These involtini recipe are what comfort food dreams are made of if you ask me!
What are eggplants? Are they good for you?
Eggplants, also known as aubergine (and called ‘melanzane’ in Italian), belong to the nightshade family, like tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Even if widely considered vegetables, botanically, they are fruits (specifically a berry) as they are grown from a flowering plant and have seeds inside.
They are widely used around the world and they have plenty of varieties, ranging from the more common deep purple to red, deep black and green. They have a spongy flesh that softens when cooked. Eggplants are rich in nutrients and health benefits:
- nutrient-dense food;
- high in antioxidants, which help prevent cellular damage and support brain health;
- may reduce the risk of heart disease;
- may promote blood sugar control;
- low in calories;
- good amount of vitamins, fibre and minerals like vitamin C,K, B6, folate, potassium and manganese. (Healthline)
What are involtini melanzane?
Involtini melanzane are a classic Italian main course that is easy to make and full of flavour. Made with eggplant slices, cheese and ham, rolled up and baked in tomato sauce for an indulgent weeknight dinner. There are plenty of different versions of this dish, from vegetarian ones, to pan cooked or some with grilled aubergines.
Nonetheless, this italian food is a delicious comfort food at its best, simple and rustic. The word ‘involtino’ comes from the Italian word meaning ‘little roll’. And ‘melanzane’ is the Italian name for eggplants or aubergines.
What ingredient do I need to make involtini melanzane?
To make these involtini di melanzane you will need:
- eggplant slices: these are the core of your recipe, slice them lengthwise so it will be easier to create your roll ups and make sure they are around 1 cm thick, as they will shrink a bit while in the oven.
- tomato passata: this will be the base to create your filling and will help keep the eggplants juicy.
- cooked ham: you will use sliced cooked ham to fill your eggplant roll ups recipe. Paired with cheese, it will be the best comfort food combo.
- extra virgin olive oil: you will use this as a base for your sauce filling, as well as on top of your eggplant slices before they hit the oven
- provola cheese: with the cooked ham, they will make a juicy and delicious filling for your roll ups.
- garlic: you will need a clove while make the tomato sauce for your involtini di melanzane.
- salt & pepper: used to season and bring the flavour of the ingredients even more. Use to taste.
- grated parmesan cheese: an add-on of cheesy deliciousness on top, so that it will create a little melty crust on top.
- basil leaves: use this in your sauce to bring even more flavour to your filling.
How do I make involtini di melanzane?
To prepare the aubergine roll ups, wash and dry the eggplants, then remove the stems and slice them lengthwise with a mandoline to obtain about 15 slices, each about 1 cm thick. Then place the slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bake in a preheated fan oven at 210°C for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, start preparing the tomato sauce by heating a drizzle of olive oil with a garlic clove in a small saucepan. Add the tomato passata, season with salt, and flavor with fresh basil over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes.
Once the eggplants are cooked, place a slice of cooked ham and one of cheese on top of each, then roll them up to form each involtino. In a baking dish, spread 2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce and place the eggplant involtini on top side by side. Cover with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with grated parmesan.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 200°C for 20 minutes. Serve hot, straight from the oven. Enjoy your cheesy involtini melanzane!
Can I make these involtini melanzane vegan?
You absolutely can! All you have to do is swap the meat and cheese inside. There are plenty of options nowadays that are amazing in terms of both texture and meltiness. So you can pick whatever you like more.
If you don’t want to swap it for fake meat and cheese, you can use other veggies to roll in the eggplant, such as sliced courgettes. Alternatively, you can try using tofu, tempeh, or even make your own fake bacon with rice paper. The choices are endless!
Can I swap any ingredients in these involtini di melanzane?
You can indeed! You could have another version of these involtini melanzane, swapping the eggplant for courgettes or cabbage leaves. For filling, you can really use your fantasy in this case, as we said above, for vegan swaps, you can have plenty of different combos that can work.
Instead of provola and grated parmigiano, you could also use something stronger like pecorino romano or even make it cheesier on top with some mozzarella. The world is your oyster in this case.
Do you have more quick and easy dinner recipes to suggest?
We do indeed! We love a good savoury recipe and the ones that are mostly done in the oven even better! While these involtini melanzane required a bit more prep, they really surpassed the expectations. Other easy weeknight recipes are:
- carbonara – a Roman classic and one so many make mistakes on, but don’t worry this is the classic deal!
- tagliata di pollo – forget about dry chicken breast, this tagliata recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner, juicy and full of protein.
- involtini alla siciliana – pan-fried roll-ups made of veal meat, onion and cheese. These are the perfect companions for any dinner.
- farinata di ceci – this might be considered more of an appetizer, but if you are after a gluten-free option, you can’t miss this delicious Ligurian chickpea pancake.
- porcini trifolati – this is more of a side than a dinner recipe, but they are so flavoursome one couldn’t forget about them!
- busiate trapanese – the perfect quick and easy pasta recipe filled with the flavours of Sicily.
- impanata siciliana – another comfort food that you pop in the oven and thank yourself for later! Impanata is filled with broccoli, sausage, tomatoes and more for the best oven dinner recipe.
- burrata panzanella – a humble salad that requires few fresh ingredients for something so flavoursome you will keep asking for more.
- scrapariello pasta – made with few fresh ingredients and the perfect pasta recipe for any cheese lover.
- bruschetta ai funghi – take a classic and make it the perfect fall appetizer.
- pasta alla crudaiola – simple, fresh and quick. Made with tomato, pesto and cheese, the perfect summer dish.
Involtini di Melanzane
Ingredients
- 650 g eggplant (sliced)
- 225 g cooked ham
- 400 g tomato passata
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 225 g Provola cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- Basil to taste
- 100 g grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- To prepare the eggplant involtini, first wash and dry the eggplants, then remove the stem and slice them lengthwise with a mandoline to obtain about 15 slices, each about 1 cm thick.
- Place the eggplant slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in a preheated fan oven at 210°C for 10 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, heat a drizzle of olive oil with one garlic clove.
- Add the tomato passata, season with salt, and flavor with basil.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes.
- Once the eggplants are cooked, fill them with cheese and cooked ham, then roll them up to form involtini. Set them aside.
- In a baking dish, spread 2–3 tablespoons of tomato sauce, then arrange the eggplant rolls side by side. Cover them with the remaining sauce, add grated parmesan on top and bake in a preheated static oven at 200°C for 20 minutes.
- Once baked, serve the eggplant involtini hot and cheesy.
SHOP THE EGGPLANT INVOLTINI POST
PIN THE BAKED INVOLTINI MELANZANE RECIPE FOR LATER!
