Italian Eggplant Casserole

 Italian Eggplant Casserole

Prep time    30 

Cook time   45 minutes    

Yield               4 servings 

 Ingredients

• 1 medium-large eggplant
• 3 cups whole wheat breadcrumbs 
• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes, divided
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk
• On 14-ounce block extra-firm tofu
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 5 cups Marinara Sauce, plus more for serving or two-24 ounce jars of prepared marinara sauce 

‍  Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Peel and slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
3. In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and 3 tablespoons of the nutritional yeast.
4. Place the flour in a small bowl.
5. Pour the milk into another small bowl.
6. Dip each eggplant round into the flour bowl, then the milk bowl, and then coat with the bread crumb mixture.
7. Place the breaded eggplant rounds onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
8. While the eggplant is baking, place the tofu, garlic, salt, nutmeg, and remaining 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast flakes in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
9. Coat the bottom of a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with the marinara sauce.  Add a layer of the baked breaded eggplant rounds, a layer of the tofu mixture, and a layer of the marinara sauce.  Add another layer of eggplant, tofu mixture, then marinara sauce, and finally top with the remaining bread crumbs from the bowl.
10. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Serve with warm pasta and top with extra marinara sauce.   

✏️Tips & Tricks

• If you are making this recipe gluten free, I recommend you buy gluten free bread and toast the bread then process it into bread crumbs.  I like to make all my breadcrumbs from whole grain toasted and processed bread.  

Marinara Sauce

Prep time    15 minutes  

Cook time   45 minutes    

Yield              4 servings    

 Ingredients 

• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced small
• 1/4 cup dry red wine, for sautéing (or vegetable broth or water)
• 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

‍ Directions

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, saute the garlic, onion, and carrots in the red wine until tender.  (You can also saute in water or vegetable broth.)
2. Add the basil, tomato paste, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.  Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, water, and maple syrup.
4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.  Simmer for 30-40 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Italian Eggplant Casserole- Grocery List

     Produce 

• 1 medium-large eggplant
• 3 garlic cloves (9 garlic cloves if you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 1 onion (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 3 carrots (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 1 cup fresh basil (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• One 14 ounce block extra-firm tofu

    Plant-Based Dairy

• 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk

     Baking & Spices 

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon oregano (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour)
• Sea salt/Black Pepper

   Canned and Jarred Goods

• Two 24 ounce jars marinara sauce (If you are not preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 15 ounce can diced tomatoes (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce)

    Pasta Breads, Wraps and Buns

• 3 cups whole wheat breadcrumbs (about 4-5 slices of whole grain bread toasted and processed)
• 8-10 ounce package of whole grain pasta 

   Miscellaneous

• 1/4 cup dry red wine (If you are preparing your own marinara sauce.)