Grilled Eggplant Rollatini Recipe

Updated August 29, 2018

Grilled eggplant slices are filled with a four-cheese mixture, then topped with marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan to make creamy and delicious rollatini. . Joshua Bousel

Making double use of the grill, dish of rollatini starts with eggplant slices that are until tender and browned, then sees them returned to the grill as rollatini in a covered baking dish, just long enough for the cheese to melt and the marinara sauce to heat through.

Why this recipe works:

Eggplant slices that are 1/4 inch thick are sturdy enough to hold together on the grill yet thin enough to roll up once cooked.
Mixing provolone into the filling adds a nice sharpness that's balanced by the creamy and mellow ricotta.
Finishing the dish over an indirect fire makes great use of the remaining heat in the grill.

Fruit Roll Up: How to Grill Sliced Eggplant and 3 Ways to Stuff It

Recipe Details

Grilled Eggplant Rollatini Recipe

Active 45 mins

Total 75 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Marinara:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Rollatini:

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 cup grated fresh mozzarella, divided
1/3 cup grated sharp provolone
2/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
1 large egg
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
2 large eggplants, ends trimmed and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the Marinara: Place oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until fragrant and bubbles start to form around garlic, 30-60 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
For the Rollatini: Whisk together ricotta, 1/3 cup of mozzarella, provolone, 1/3 cup parmesan, egg, and 1/4 cup basil in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, set half the burners on a gas grill to medium-high heat, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Brush eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant slices until browned on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large tray or cutting board.
Place a heaping tablespoon of ricotta filling on wider end of eggplant slice and roll eggplant closed around filling. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices and filling.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce along the bottom of a large tray or shallow baking dish. Place eggplant rolls in dish and top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Place on cool side of the grill, cover with aluminum foil, and let cook until cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Remove from grill, garnish with additional basil, and serve.

Special equipment

Grill, baking dish or disposable aluminum roasting pan

This Recipe Appears In

Fruit Roll Up: How to Grill Sliced Eggplant and 3 Ways to Stuff It

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
692	Calories
47g	Fat
50g	Carbs
27g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	692
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 47g	60%
Saturated Fat 16g	80%
Cholesterol 115mg	38%
Sodium 1270mg	55%
Total Carbohydrate 50g	18%
Dietary Fiber 12g	44%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 27g
Vitamin C 24mg	120%
Calcium 546mg	42%
Iron 4mg	25%
Potassium 1162mg	25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.