Garlic Herb Sautéed Italian Eggplant Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• Extremely easy way to prepare eggplant for a fantastic everyday recipe.
• Eggplant is a healthy food in a number of ways
• Delicious flavor and amazing texture
• Easy to customize this eggplant side dish
• Perfect side dish that pairs well with so many things

Italian Eggplant Recipes

In Italian cooking, and for that matter, all around the Mediterranean Sea, eggplant is quite popular. Obviously, there’s eggplant parmesan (melanzane alla parmigiana), but other somewhat famous Italian food dishes feature eggplant in Italy as well.

Pasta alla Norma from Sicily is a spaghetti dish with tomatoes and aged ricotta with sautéed eggplant. Rollatini using eggplant as well as stuffed and baked eggplant are also popular and delicious Italian recipes featuring eggplant. In Italy you will also find different variations of sautéed, grilled or roasted eggplant.

We wanted to showcase the vegetable and simply sauté the eggplant slices for this very easy and delicious recipe.

Ingredients

Here is what you need to make this simple eggplant recipe:

• Eggplant: There are many varieties of eggplant and they are not all created equal. We use either Italian eggplant which is a small common globe eggplant, that is deep purple or even black without stripes or other coloring. Italian eggplant is often medium to small in size and small eggplants are better when it comes to this recipe!
• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the eggplant.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
• Italian Seasoning: Dried Italian seasoning is fantastic, combining a number of different herbs depending on the maker. Use your favorite!
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder (NOT garlic salt) brings a good garlic flavor and simplifies this recipe.
• Sea Salt: Optional. As soon as they’re done sautéing, if desired sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top for added flavor.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: To garnish the finished dish.

See recipe card below for quantities and full instructions.

Substitutions

Here are a couple of common substitutions for the ingredients in this easy recipe:

• Italian Seasoning: Any variety of simple seasonings can be used from anywhere around the world to change the flavor profile of the finished dish.
• Garlic Powder: You can substitute onion powder if desired. Or use both! You can of course use fresh garlic if desired as well.

How to Make Sautéed Italian Eggplant:

This straightforward and easy Italian sautéed eggplant recipe doesn’t require much time or effort at all. Simply slice the eggplant into rounds (or half moons if desired) and sauté in hot olive oil while applying the seasoning. The pan-fried eggplant doesn't take long to cook and get some caramelization. Once the eggplant is tender, this delicious side dish is done!

Equipment

Here is what you need to make this dish

• Large frying pan to sauté the eggplant

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Eggplant

• Remove the stem and top of the eggplants and slice the eggplants into rounds. We recommend slicing them ¼” thick as the cooking time will be perfect to achieve a caramelized exterior and a creamy interior of each slice.  

Sauté and Season the Eggplant

• On medium-high heat, add about 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a large frying pan. Once it heats up, sauté the eggplant in batches. Place some of the rounds in the pan in a single layer and season the top side with a little salt, pepper, Italian Seasoning, and garlic powder. Each side will only take a few minutes. Flip and season the other side in the same manner.
• Once the exteriors get a deep caramel color, remove to a plate and season with a pinch of sea salt if desired. They can be held in a 250°F oven while you finish the remaining rounds. When doing these in batches, you may need to add a little bit more olive oil to the pan as eggplant is extremely absorbent. Serve! 

Variations

Here are a couple ways to change up this recipe:

• Serve these in a light tomato sauce with rice, pasta, or other vegetables
• Add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little spiciness in the dish.

Storage

How to store leftover sautéed eggplant:

• Store cooked eggplant In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to reheat leftover eggplant:

• The oven is a great way to reheat the eggplant on about 350°F.

Can you freeze leftover sautéed eggplant?

We don’t recommend this as the texture will become mushy.

Troubleshooting

If your eggplant starts to absorb the oil without sizzling in the pan, remove immediately as your pan isn’t hot enough. If your oil is smoking, it’s too hot so remove the pan from the heat and turn the heat down before cooking eggplant.

What to serve with Sautéed Italian Eggplant

This dish can go with any protein, rice, or pasta dish. We especially recommend serving with beef, pork tenderloin or pork chops, chicken, or a hearty pasta with tomato sauce or a ragù.

What Wines To Drink with Sautéed Italian Eggplant

You wouldn’t necessarily pair a wine with a side of sautéed eggplant, so pair with the main course. However, bold red wines do work really well with eggplant. Think wines with higher tannins, such as younger versions of tempranillo, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and sangiovese.