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Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs Recipe. This recipe is so much easier then salting and bring every eggplant individually. Everything goes in a blender and then becomes a #meatball. Super easy indulgent #comfortfood. Happy Cooking! www.ChopHappy.com

Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs

Jay
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large eggplant (chopped in 1 inch chunks)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic (left whole)
  • 10 basil leaves (left whole)
  • 1 teaspoon oregano (left whole)
  • 1 handful parsley (left whole)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 pound mozzarella cheese (cut in small cubes)
  • 1 jar favorite jarred tomato sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
  • First, add eggplant, salt and pepper to a pan on medium heat with olive oil. Stir for approximately 3 minutes until the eggplant is browned and soft. Then set aside to cool (approximately 10 minutes).
  • Next, add the eggplant, ricotta cheese, Parmesan, garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, egg, pinch of salt and bread crumbs to the food processor. 
  • Now pulse until all is combined and mixed into a thick paste with small chunks of eggplant (see video above). 
  • NOTE:  The mixture will be thick but still wet. As long as you can form a ball it will harden up in the oven. If not able to form ball add more bread crumbs.
  • Next, scoop out 1 tablespoon of eggplant mixture and add mozzarella chunk in the middle. Roll to form a ball (If the mixture is too wet to hold a ball shape, add more bread crumbs to the mixture).
  • Place on a sheet tray with a coating of olive oil and roll the meatballs around to coat. Then line up next to each other.
  • Now, Place in the oven for 20 minutes on upper middle rack.
  • Next, take sheet tray out and top with tomato sauce and put back in the oven 15 minutes so the sauce can soak in the meatballs. 
  • Finally, top with Parmesan and extra chopped basil and enjoy!