A classic Italian dish featuring roasted aubergines layered with a rich tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Prep Time
20min
Cook Time
40min
Total Time
1hr
Melanzane recipe

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = one portion)

Main Ingredients

  • 3piece
    Large Aubergines (sliced)
  • 1cup
    Onion (chopped)
  • 1tbsp
    Garlic (minced)
  • 1tbsp
    Mixed dried herbs
  • 3cups
    Chopped Canned Tomatoes
  • 2tbsp
    Tomato paste
  • 2cups
    Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
  • 1cup
    Parmesan Cheese (grated)
  • 3tbsp
    Vegetable Oil
  • 2tbsp
    Extra Virgin Olive Oil

How to make Melanzane

Roasting the Aubergines

  1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the aubergine slices onto a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, as well as the vegetable oil. Rub to ensure the oil is spread throughout the aubergine slices. Roast in the oven until golden brown and soft.

Preparing the Tomato Sauce

  1. Heat a saucepan and add the olive oil, then the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until translucent.

  2. Add the tomato paste & cook for 2 min. Add the dried herbs, chopped tomatoes, and garlic. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Taste the sauce for seasoning. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Assemble the melanzane

  1. In a deep oven-proof dish, layer some aubergines to cover the bottom. Then cover the aubergines with a layer of tomato sauce. Cover the sauce with half of the parmesan & grated mozzarella cheese. Then top that with another layer & bake in the oven until golden brown.

Tips & Tricks

  1. For a richer flavor, let the sauce simmer longer to deepen the taste.

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Anna Middleton

(@chefanna)

I have been a professional South African chef for 18 years, now teaching kids & adults how to cook by using their instincts. I...

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