Aunt Eileen's Stuffed Eggplant - Delicious and Comforting

Enjoy a delicious and comforting dish with Aunt Eileen's Stuffed Eggplant recipe. This recipe combines tender eggplant filled with a savory and flavorful stuffing made with ground beef, vegetables, and spices. Baked to perfection, each bite is a burst of flavors that will satisfy your taste buds. It's a perfect dish for a family dinner or a special occasion. Try Aunt Eileen's Stuffed Eggplant and create a memorable meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch thick shell. Chop the flesh and set aside.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef until browned. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, garlic, bell peppers, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
5. Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet and add the chopped eggplant flesh. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper.
7. Fill the eggplant shells with the stuffing mixture and place them in a baking dish.
8. Pour the marinara sauce over the stuffed eggplants, covering them completely.
9. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
11. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Serve hot and enjoy!

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