Grilled Eggplant Involtini features fresh bite-sized strips of grilled eggplant that are wrapped around a mixture of tomato sauce and basil-infused cheesy couscous and then oven-baked to delicious and savory perfection.
This rolled aubergine eggplant is the best of summer eating. It's also one of our most popular eggplant recipes.
Try Grilled Eggplant Involrini while eggplants are still in season.
What is this?
Involtini is an Italian term for small, bite-sized wraps and furthermore, these can be made of vegetables, meats, seafood, and the like. The rolled aubergine eggplant is wrapped around a filling and in essence, this part of the recipe often consists of a sauce, cheese, nuts, and cured meats.
We started the recipe for this eggplant involtini off by putting together a batch of fresh tomato sauce and then we fired up the grill. All good things for great summer eating.
These strips of eggplant can be grilled a day ahead of time and then stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Note from the above photo that not all of the eggplant is "perfect." There were a couple of parts that needed cutting out and notice also that this is not a big deal. They still roll well and were delicious. All in all, this is all done in the name of keeping it simple and keeping it delicious.
How to make it
- Slice eggplant into ¼ inch thick pieces and then oil and season both sides.
- Heat a grill to medium-high, or by the same token if you don't have a grill you can use a hot grill pan.
- Allow the eggplant strips to grill for about 4 minutes on each side, until tender and browned.
- The eggplant can be grilled a day ahead of time and then wrapped and refrigerated for a day if you want to plan ahead.
For the filling
- Take 2 cups of basil-infused couscous and then stir in 2 cups of tomato sauce. Then, mix in some shredded mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan cheese.
- Place about two tablespoons of the filling onto one end of a grilled strip of eggplant and then roll tightly.
- Place the rolled eggplant involtini into a sauce-lined backing vessel and then top with a little more sauce and some additional grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for about 20 minutes in a 350℉ oven, until bubbly. Allow to set for 10 minutes prior to serving.
Eggplant Involtini that is all wrapped, sauced, and ready for the oven. It's the best of summer eating, from your own garden.
We've featured a few eggplant recipes in the past here on Platter Talk and in fact this eggplant involtini is a beautiful and delicious addition to our collection of aubergine eggplant recipes.
Eggplant is grilled and rolled with a filling and then the involtini is baked at 350℉ for 15 minutes.
Always Use a Good Sauce for the Best of Summer Eating
To be truthful, as with any good sauce-based dish, so much of it depends on that sauce. Our fresh tomato sauce recipe makes for a solid base to this eggplant involtini.
We hope you give both recipes a try soon! Thanks for reading our posts here on Platter Talk and once again, be sure and let us know how you like this one, we think this aubergine eggplant recipe is simply the best of summer eating! -Dan
Grilled Eggplant Involtini with basil-infused couscous is in essence the best of the season.
Other popular eggplant recipes!
For more grill fare, check out the Ultimate Summer Grilling Recipe Guide from Saveur!
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Grilled Eggplant Involtini
Ingredients
- 3 medium sized eggplants that are sliced lengthwise into ¼ inch pieces.
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- about six cups of tomato sauce of which you can find the recipe here.
- 2 cups couscous cooked
- a handful fresh basil leaves coarsely torn
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese grated, divided.
Instructions
- Heat grill to medium high heat and then preheat oven to 350℉
- Brush slices of eggplant with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Grill eggplant slices for about 4 minutes on each side, until marked and tender.
- Meanwhile, prepare couscous as directed and stir in fresh basil leaves while still hot.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine couscous, Mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese along with 2 cups of tomato sauce and then mix thoroughly.
- Use a deep 9x9" baking dish or skillet and then line with 1 cup of tomato sauce. Or, use a rectangular lasagna pan and then spread 2 cups of tomato sauce on bottom.
- Lay grilled eggplant slices out on a clean flat surface and then add a dollop of 2 tablespoons couscous mixture to one end of each slice. Tightly roll eggplants, beginning at the end with the filling and then roll from end to end.
- Place rolled eggplants in baking dish(es) and then cover with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle tops of eggplant wraps with remaining Parmesan cheese and then place in the hot oven.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbly. Remove from oven and allow to set 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from original publication on September 15, 2016
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Michaela Kenkel
I just picked up an eggplant at the farmers market today!! I know what I am making! Thanks!
Debra C.
Stopping back by again as I've made this recipe a couple of times now and we really enjoy it. It's easy and delicious - great recipe! Thank you!!
Michele
We're starting to get lots of great veggies at out farmers market....Im going to look for eggplant to give this a try! :).
Angela
Yes!! One of my favorite Italian classics. I planted eggplant in the garden this year, hoping to get a good crop. In the meantime... definitely grabbing some eggplant and making this asap!
Ashlyn
Such a great way to use eggplant! I think I’ve only ever used it to make eggplant parm, so I’m saving this to try for Meatless Monday. 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk
Thanks for the comments, Ashlyn. Give this a try - I think you'll like it!
Sandra Shaffer
This eggplant involtini is making my mouth water! Great dinner idea to serve for guests and I love that you can grill the eggplant ahead of time making the prep time super easy!
debi at Life Currents
This looks so good. And I love a good hearty vegetarian meal. Thanks for the recipe.