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Published July 11, 2015 | Last Updated August 7, 2024 By Barbara Bianchi 15 Comments

Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese Recipe

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You’re going to love this nutritious low-carb eggplant rollatini bolognese . Serve it as an appetizer or as the main course. Buon appetito!

Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese

Today, I am revisiting one of my favorite recipes: eggplant rollatini. This time I’ve updated it with a special twist, stuffing these delicious bundles of eggplant with mozzarella cheese and a meaty bolognese sauce.

I’ve found that the more research I do on gluten free and healthy living, the more I keep revising my recipes in an effort to use the most nutritious ingredients and cooking methods.

After more than ten years of following a gluten-free lifestyle, my family is also trying to avoid sugar, most grains, eat organic whenever we can, enjoy green drinks, and eliminate processed food.

We’ve improved our diet, and we’re feeling terrific. In order to update my eggplant rollatini recipe to fit our current diet, I decided to leave out the breadcrumbs and broil the eggplant instead of frying.

Once rolled up with the mozzarella and meat sauce, the result was absolutely perfect. And I’m thinking, Almond flour bread would go well with this to sop up the sauce.

Not only is this eggplant rollatini a nutritious choice for an appetizer or side dish or hearty dinner, it’s a quick and convenient one too. It’s one of my 22 keto recipes with ground beef.

I decided on this dish for today because I have friends visiting this afternoon.

Make-Ahead Convenience

The great thing about eggplant rollatini bolognese is that it can be prepared ahead and stored in the fridge until it’s time to bake.

Honestly, I think it’s even better when the flavors mingle a while before cooking. Knowing that dinner is taken care of, I’ll enjoy my friends’ company and not be preoccupied with thoughts of dinner preparation.

Sometimes I get caught up in a daily routine of too much work and responsibilities. It’s good to take a break and spend carefree time with friends, drinking cool Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade Pressé, enjoying fresh fruit, talking, and laughing together.

Especially when you can look forward to savoring wonderful eggplant rollatini bolognese for dinner.

Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese

I chose my ingredients carefully. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients

For eggplant rolls:

  • Eggplant or aubergine: with its velvety, tender slices effortlessly soak up the rich flavors within this casserole

  • Extra-virgin olive oil and salt: enhance the taste of the eggplant and help with the cooking process
  • Mozzarella: melts and forms a gooey, cheesy filling and topping for the eggplant rolls

For easy Bolognese sauce:

  • Ground beef: adds protein and a rich, meaty flavor to the filling
  • Soffrito foundation of the sauce: onion, garlic, celery, and carrot are sautéed in oil
  • Tomato sauce: tomato puree and tomato paste
  • Italian herbs: oregano and a bay leaf for a burst of flavor
  • Parmesan cheese rind: infuses the sauce with its flavor

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you.

Prep the eggplant

First, slice up the eggplants. With two medium-sized eggplants, you should be able to cut about 18 (¼-inch thick lengthwise) eggplant slices. You can use this mandoline slicer. I love this simple tool for cutting up thin strips.

To keep your casserole from gettin watery, roast the eggplant slices. Brush them with olive oil, season with salt, and arrange as many as will fit on a broiling pan.  Broil about 4-5 minutes on each side and repeat until all the slices are browned.

Be careful to check the slices after 3 minutes as some of my slices in the second batch burned a little.

For Bolognese sauce

In Bologna, where the sauce originated, three different kinds of ground meat – usually beef, lamb, and veal – are browned beforehand while sautéing vegetables and herbs.

Then, they are all mixed together with puréed tomatoes in a pot that simmers for hours (sometimes overnight) on the stove. This, however, is my easy bolognese with just ground beef like my Zucchini Noodles With Bolognese Sauce and delicious Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups.

Italian cooks call the foundation of this sauce: soffritto. It always begins with celery, onions, and carrots.

First, sauté the celery, onion, and carrot in oil in a large skillet until the onions are translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Next, add the beef to the sautéed vegetables, season with salt, and cook stirring frequently, until the meat has browned.

Then, add tomato purée, tomato paste, a bay leaf, salt, and oregano to taste. Finally, add a parmesan cheese rind to the pot and simmer.

The cheese rind infuses your sauce with flavor plus it adds a bit of thickness. So next time you’re about to finish up that wedge of cheese, save the rind.

And that’s it. Your easy homemade Bolognese sauce is ready.

Assemble casserole

Next, grease a baking dish and spoon some sauce into the bottom of the baking dish. Place no more than a tablespoon of beef bolognese sauce on the end of each broiled eggplant slice, sprinkle with mozzarella, and roll up. 

Place in your baking dish, seam side down. Spoon more sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces). Cover and set in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350℉. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the rollatini are heated through and the mozzarella cheese has melted.

Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese

How easy is that? You’re going to love this nutritious dish. Serve it as an appetizer, or as the main course along with a choice (or two!) from my vegetable and salad collection. Buon appetito!

Pro tips and recipe notes

  • Can I make the bolognese sauce ahead of time? Yes, prepare the bolognese in advance, refrigerate, and reheat when assembling.
  • Can I substitute ground beef with another protein? Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be alternatives to beef for a lighter option.
  • Can I use store-bought tomato sauce for the bolognese? Yes, you can use pre-made tomato sauce. Just be sure it gluten free. Then cook your ground meat, drain, and stir in the sauce.
  • How can I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

I can’t wait for you to try this recipe. And if you have any questions, please reach out to me in the comments or shoot me an email, and I’ll respond ASAP.

More recipes like this

Bacon And Egg Cups: Talk about convenience, these low carb bacon and egg cups make a fun, tasty meal; at home or for breakfast on-the-go.

Zucchini Lasagna Casserole That Really Rocks: This casserole is a delicious low carb meal!  And I’ve updated the recipe to include a cool cooking video so you can watch how to make it.

Tastiest Low Carb Stuffed Cabbage: Whether you’re cutting out grains because of allergies, reducing carbs because you want to lower your insulin response, trying to lose those extra pounds, or you’re just looking for a super delicious comfort food, this stuffed cabbage is just what you need!

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4 from 3 votes

Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese Recipe

Prevent your screen from going dark
You’re going to love this nutritious dish. Serve it as an appetizer or as the main course. Buon appetito!
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Servings 4
Calories 498kcal
Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggplants
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella divided
  • salt

For Bolognese Sauce:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery finely chopped
  • 1 carrot finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 28-ounce can tomato purée (Muir Glen is organic with no added sugar and gluten-free)
  • 1 6- ounce tomato paste (Muir Glen is organic with no added sugar and gluten-free)
  • 1-inch parmesan cheese rind
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • oregano about 1 teaspoon
  • parmesan cheese to taste optional

Instructions

  • Slice eggplants. From 2 eggplants you should be able to get about 18 (¼ inch-thick lengthwise) eggplant slices
    2 large eggplants
  • Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil, season with salt and arrange a many as will fit on your broiler pan. Broil about 4-5 minutes on each side and repeat until all the slices are browned.
    3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, salt

For Bolognese Sauce:

  • Sauté the celery, onion, and carrot in oil in a large skillet until the onions are translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté for another minute.
    Add beef to the sautéed vegetables, season with salt, and cook stirring frequently, until the meat has browned.
    Then, add tomato purée, tomato paste, a bay leaf, salt, parmesan cheese rind, and oregano to taste, about 1 teaspoon. Simmer on low.
    1 pound ground beef, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 small onion, 1 garlic clove, 1 stalk celery, 1 carrot, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 28-ounce can tomato purée (Muir Glen is organic with no added sugar and gluten-free), 1 6- ounce tomato paste (Muir Glen is organic with no added sugar and gluten-free), 1-inch parmesan cheese rind, oregano, 1 dried bay leaf

Assemble in Baking Dish:

  • Next, grease a baking dish. Remove the bay leaf and parmesan rind from the sauce. Spoon some sauce into the bottom of the baking dish. Place a tablespoon of beef bolognese sauce on the end of each eggplant slice, sprinkle with mozzarella and roll up.
    Place in baking dish, seam side down. Spoon more sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover and set in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350℉. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until rollatini are heated through and mozzarella cheese melts.
    parmesan cheese to taste

Notes

  • Can I make the bolognese sauce ahead of time? Yes, prepare the bolognese in advance, refrigerate, and reheat when assembling.
  • Can I substitute ground beef with another protein? Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be alternatives to beef for a lighter option.
  • Can I use store-bought tomato sauce for the bolognese? Yes, you can use pre-made tomato sauce. Just be sure it gluten free. Then cook your ground meat, drain, and stir in the sauce.
  • How can I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.5g | Protein: 38.2g
did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.

Nutrition-Label-Embed-eggplant rollatini

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About Barbara Bianchi

Barbara loves to bring fun into the kitchen and wholesome food to the table. She also enjoys drinking robust coffee, eating a little chocolate, reading a good novel, going for walks and spending time with her family and friends.
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Filed Under: Appetizers & Side Dishes, Beef, Dinner, Egg free, Italian-inspired recipes, LOW CARB, Paleo, Recipe, Vegetables & Salads

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ginger London says

    July 11, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    I’m not sure if I understand glutten free, but this look delicious.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:19 pm

      In people with celiac disease, gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction that causes the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Then the body produces antibodies that attack the intestine, causing damage and illness.

      My husband and 2 of my sons have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. My daughter and youngest son are allergic to wheat. This is why we are gluten free.

      Gluten is mostly found in cereal & grains, especially wheat. I made this dish without flour and breadcrumbs. Delicious for everyone.

      Reply
  2. Melanie T. Campbell says

    July 11, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    This looks scrumptious!!!!!!!!! I’ll definitely be sharing this recipe on Facebook. I’m a diabetic and this looks like it could be a healthy meal choice for me as well. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:45 pm

      Thanks, Melanie. I appreciate your sharing.

      Reply
  3. Lolette Stephenson says

    July 12, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Thank you for this recipe !!!! My husband and I eat gluten free as much as possible. I will definitely be cooking this very soon.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      I just love hearing that, Lolette. I hope you love it.

      Reply
  4. K. Lee Banks says

    July 12, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    3 stars
    I have to make a serious effort to eat gluten-free for my health. I admit I’m not a fan of eggplant, though, but I do like many of your other recipes! I love pasta salad in the summer, but I have to pick up some GF pasta to use.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      Mmm. Pasta salad. Yum.

      Reply
  5. Francene Stanley says

    July 13, 2015 at 9:28 am

    5 stars
    That sounds like a great recipe. I could substitute the meat with Quorn, a meat-free soy-bean mince. Sounds great.

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:54 pm

      Good idea. Let me know how you like it.

      Reply
  6. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    July 20, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    This looks so good! I’m a big fan of eggplant rollatini too…I wish my kids liked eggplant…its one of the few veggies they don’t like. I keep hoping their taste buds will change, and I am guessing they will at some point, because I didn’t like eggplant as a kid either. In the meantime though, I can make this for my husband and I some night they aren’t home! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Barbara says

      July 25, 2015 at 11:52 pm

      Thanks for pinning, Michelle.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Gluten Free Game Day Chili Dip - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    October 7, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    […] Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese […]

    Reply
  2. Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups (Gluten-Free, Paleo, And Low-Carb) says:
    August 22, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    […] Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese […]

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  3. Traditional Italian Gluten Free Meatballs - Gluten Free Homestead says:
    July 5, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    […] Eggplant Rollatini Bolognese You’re going to love this healthy dish. Serve it as an appetizer or as the main course. Buon appetito! […]

    Reply
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