Eggplant Casserole: the BEST Eggplant Recipes #2

If you enjoyed last week's delicious Oven-baked Tomato and Cheese eggplant recipe, you'll love this one even more. This adapted recipe was handed down from my Italian mother in law and is definitely a family favorite.

Ingredients:
2 large eggplants
350 gr. minced beef
1 carton of tomato sauce
1 table spoon of concentrated tomato paste
1 red pepper
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 beef stock cube
some basil
1- 1 1/2 cups of white sauce
300-400 gr. macaroni
200 grams of melting cheese (parmesan, mozzarella, etc.)

Instructions:

At least an hour before you start cooking, peel the eggplant

then chop into thin strips

 and place into a colander  with a plate underneath

to catch the juices. Sprinkle with salt  and allow to sit for at 

least one hour.

Make a basic white sauce and flavor with garlic powder,

salt, white pepper and nutmeg.

Finely chop the onion, garlic and pepper. 

Fry with some olive oil and then add the meat and lightly fry.

Add in the tomato sauce, concentrated tomato paste,

beef stock cube, 1/2 cup of water, salt, pepper and basil. Allow

to simmer for 1 hour. 

In the mean time, drain the water from the egg plant and 

fry till soft in olive oil.  (This is not a time

for multitasking. Don't try to sweep the kitchen

and dining room floor during this time or you will burn

your eggplant like I did.)

Once your meat sauce is done cooking, add about 1- 1 1/2 cups of 

white sauce. (The exact amount takes a little trial and error

but you want enough for it to enhance the tomato, but not enough

to overwhelm it.) 

While you're busy juggling all these steps (I'll admit this 

isn't a simple meal), cook the macaroni.When that is

done you can start assembly. Start with the sauce, then place a

layer of macaroni and then some eggplant. Make at least

two layer sets. Top with cheese and place in the oven at

180 degrees C for about 15- 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and enjoy the tasty goodness! 

If you liked this recipe, these might whet your appetite:

Juicy, oven roast turkey leg 

Easy Chicken Risotto

Thanks for stopping by!