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Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

[heart_this] · Feb 28, 2009 · 97 Comments

Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

I had some eggplant leftover form earlier in the week and I was wondering what to do with it. When came across this recipe for a mozzarella and eggplant panini on Passionate Eater I knew that I had found my answer. Warm sauteed eggplant with gooey melted mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce all wrapped up in the form of a grilled sandwich! How could you go wrong with that? One of the reasons that I chose this recipe was that it would have me use up some of the marinara sauce that was in my freezer. Normally I do not like to saute eggplant in oil as it soaks up a lot of oil but when I was thinking about this sandwich it sounded like that was an essential component. (Normally I would broil my eggplant until golden grown and nice and tender.) The eggplant and mozzarella sandwich was really easy to make and tasted great! I do not have a panini maker so I just used a grill pan and pressed down on the sandwich with the bottom of a bowl. Luckily I have enough eggplant leftover for another of these sandwiches tomorrow.

Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 1
ingredients
  • * olive oil
  • 1 eggplant (cut into 1/4 inch slices)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 8 slices bread
  • 8 slices of mozzarella
directions
  1. Saute the eggplant in oil in a pan in batches.
  2. Spread the marinara sauce over one side of each slice of bread.
  3. Place a slice of mozzarella on each slice of bread.
  4. Place the eggplant on half of the slices of bread and top with the other half.
  5. Lightly brush the bread with olive oil and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
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Food, Italian, Recipe, Sandwich, Vegetable, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steph says

    March 1, 2009 at 12:18 am

    I never thought of putting eggplant in a sandwich. This looks just too good!

    Reply
  2. Sweet Bird says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:34 am

    This is a great flavor combination Kevin!

    Reply
  3. VeggieGirl says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:39 am

    Mmm, fabulous use for eggplant!!

    Reply
  4. Astra Libris says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:46 am

    Mmmm, you’ve created the perfect panini… YUM!! Eggplant and mozzarella are the best together!

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:20 am

    This looks awesome!

    Reply
  6. Hayley says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:39 am

    This sandwich looks incredible! That oozey cheese and eggplant combo is something else.

    Reply
  7. Leslie says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:41 am

    Kevin..this looks like the perfect sandwich!!

    Reply
  8. Melissa says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:55 am

    Wow, that looks incredible with the cheese just oozing out of it!

    Reply
  9. Sharon says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:59 am

    Oh my gosh, looks amazing Kevin!

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:20 am

    I’m not a big eggplant fan, but it comes in my CSA. This looks so good, I’ve bookmarked it to try.

    Reply
  11. Heather says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:22 am

    yum 🙂 it’s like eggplant parm on a sandwich! sounds so mouth-wateringly delicious!

    Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:30 am

    Wow! What a GREAT idea!!!

    Reply
  13. Noodlegirl says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:46 am

    Oh that looks so delicious!

    Reply
  14. Foodess says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:47 am

    That is my perfect lunch. Right. There. I ♥ eggplant! And what a droolworthy photo!

    Reply
  15. ttfn300 says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:02 am

    fantastic! loving the oozy goodness 🙂

    Reply
  16. TINTIN says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:03 am

    I’m hungry now…droolzz~~

    Reply
  17. Daziano says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:15 am

    Wonderful panino, Kevin!

    Reply
  18. Cakebrain says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:48 am

    Kevin,
    From seeing all your recipes thus far, I’ve learned that your taste in food is just like mine! I love panini and the eggplant and mozza combo sounds absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:00 am

    Drooling drooing..

    Reply
  20. Proud Italian Cook says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:11 am

    I’m sold!!! Crazy about eggplant!

    Reply
  21. Creative Rhetorics says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:11 am

    Looks good. I don’t have a panini grill either, but I find that the electric waffle iron usually does the job.

    Reply
  22. Psychgrad says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:39 am

    This looks really good. I also like the quinoa salad. Some nice heathier options there.

    Reply
  23. Arundathi says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:52 am

    what an amazing looking sandwich. i dont have a panini grill either but i made one on a stove top grill and pressed it down with another to get the panini marks.

    Reply
  24. Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says

    March 1, 2009 at 6:52 am

    I love this combination! Looks delicious Kevin! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Beachlover says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:20 am

    My hubby will like this!! now I know what to cook for him with eggplant!! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  26. Jan says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:23 am

    Yum yum – I love both eggplant and mozzarella!

    Reply
  27. diva says

    March 1, 2009 at 11:09 am

    great combo. i want a panini now! x

    Reply
  28. OhioMom says

    March 1, 2009 at 11:36 am

    I love how the cheese just oozes out of that sandwich .. great combo for a panini.

    Reply
  29. Debbie says

    March 1, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Eggplant is one of my favorites. What a great idea to have it in a panini sandwich!

    Reply
  30. tamilyn says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    I will definately pass this on to my sister. She is an eggplant fanatic and will totally drool over it! Thanks (from my sister B) for posting it 🙂

    Reply
  31. Foodie with Little Thyme! says

    March 1, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    This sounds very wonderful.
    Kevin, I used one of your recipes and blog about it today. Hope you don’t mind. I also linked your site. Check it out.
    Cassie

    Reply
  32. Joanne says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    This looks totally wow-worthy. And it will definitely be making it into my lunchtime rotation.

    Reply
  33. Nirvana says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    This is such a wonderful idea!!! It must taste fantastic!

    Reply
  34. Clumbsy Cookie says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Look at that wonderful cheese melting! What a nice veggie panini!

    Reply
  35. Netts Nook says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Kevin- Eggplant is my favorite I have a hard time with the bitterness I must be doing something yours looks great.

    Reply
  36. Jamie says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Wow! Just perfect! Crunchy and gooey looks so delectable.

    Reply
  37. Brilynn says

    March 1, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    I don’t make nearly enough use of my sandwich press. This looks delicious!

    Reply
  38. nithya at hungrydesi says

    March 1, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    This is our favorite way to enjoy leftover eggplant parm! Looks delicious.

    Reply
  39. Holler says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    I had a mozzarella, pesto and sun-dried tomato panini for my hilltop lunch today (walking the sidlaws)and it was good, but this sounds amazing 🙂

    Reply
  40. chez aurora says

    March 1, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    oh yummy, I’d love a bite of that right now! 🙂

    Barbara

    Reply
  41. StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says

    March 1, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    This looks seriously fabulous! Reminds me of the eggplant parm sandwiched my grandma used to make.

    Reply
  42. elly says

    March 1, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    Mmm look at all that ooey gooey cheese! This looks perfect.

    Reply
  43. Karen says

    March 1, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    This looks really, good Kevin. What’s the bread… it looks like a multi-grain bread -??

    Reply
  44. chefectomy says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    No lie, totally making this..

    –Marc

    Reply
  45. Ozge says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    Hey Kevin, this looks so delicious! I luckily have eggplant, now I am inspired to try and cook it. If there is success – I’ll link back to you 🙂

    Reply
  46. Bridgett says

    March 1, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    How decadent! I could easily devour one of these.

    Reply
  47. Millie says

    March 1, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Wow, I’m going to try that. So yummy. I love the marinara in there too.

    Reply
  48. Skinny says

    March 1, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    That made my mouth water. It looks amamzing!

    Reply
  49. unconfidentialcook says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:11 am

    I am drooling! These look so good….We have a panini maker, and use it to make all sorts of sandwiches–our standard Sunday night dinner. Guess what’s coming to dinner next week?

    Reply
  50. Christelle says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:15 am

    I love eggplants! :))
    We call them aubergine in Europe, and they are called eggplants in Asia too, not sure if it reflects variety..

    Reply
  51. Helene says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:15 am

    Kevin, thanks again for the help.

    This panini looks delicious.

    Reply
  52. Not Another Omnivore says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:33 am

    Looks fabulous! So many great eggplant recipes out there lately!

    NAOmni

    Reply
  53. Zesty Cook says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:48 am

    Kevin, this looks amazing!! I love eggplant

    Reply
  54. Marjie says

    March 2, 2009 at 2:18 am

    Grilled sandwiches are great! Great idea to take an ordinary meal and give it a twist!

    Reply
  55. Bobby says

    March 2, 2009 at 3:29 am

    panini’s are great, they sound amazing with egg plant. This looks delicious Kevin!

    Reply
  56. ChichaJo says

    March 2, 2009 at 3:46 am

    Eggplant is a favorite and this panini looks like a winner of a recipe!

    Reply
  57. Chef Fresco says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:02 am

    mmm eggplant and cheese, great combo!

    Reply
  58. Dawn S. says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:11 am

    I must tell you how wonderful your recipes are…everything I’ve made has turned out great. Your photos are very inviting and make me want to make the recipe immediately. Great work.

    Reply
  59. Muneeba says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:15 am

    ohhhhhhhh Kevin … this panini makes me very happy! I feel an “mmmmm” building up inside me just by looking at your pic!

    Reply
  60. Manger La Ville says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:17 am

    Sounds delicious. Can I get this for lunch tomorrow??? Gooey and wonderful, I like the addition of marinera sauce.

    Reply
  61. Pam says

    March 2, 2009 at 5:37 am

    The gooey cheese is making me drool – great photo and recipe Kevin.

    Reply
  62. Marie says

    March 2, 2009 at 8:45 am

    Oh gosh that looks decadent Kevin!! I bet it was delicious!

    Reply
  63. Sophie says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Simple yet so delicious!!! MMMMMM….Can I come over for lunch?

    Reply
  64. Parker says

    March 2, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    I love this combo! What a great idea.

    Reply
  65. Natashya says

    March 2, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    I love eggplant, this looks fabulous! I just have the flat panini maker, I want the one with the grooves, it just looks so much nicer!

    Reply
  66. j & j dish it out says

    March 2, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Kevin, this looks delish. I am cutting back on white stuff so even though a french bread would be fabulous with this and the marinara, I have to do whole grain. What kind of bread did you use?

    Reply
  67. Judy says

    March 2, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    What a great sandwich idea.

    Reply
  68. Colleen says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    Wow this looks like the perfect lunch for a snowy day (like today)!

    Reply
  69. Cheryl says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    I have never eaten Eggplant, except in a dip, but I would scarf this right up!

    Reply
  70. ♥Rosie♥ says

    March 2, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    What a great idea Kevin. I would have thought of adding eggplant in a sandwich and it does look awesome!

    Rosie x

    Reply
  71. Laurie says

    March 2, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    You have all kinds of yum going on over here! Great tip on how to make panini without a panini pan! I can’t wait to try it myself.

    Your lasagna photos are simply gorgeous! It was one of my favorite meals as a kid too. Still is…

    Reply
  72. We Are Not Martha says

    March 2, 2009 at 6:14 pm

    Ahhh! Believe it or not, I was JUST about to look for a recipe to use with the leftover eggplant I have. You are really tempting me with this one…

    Sues

    Reply
  73. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    Quite a popular recipe here on the blogosphere! 🙂 It’s veggie good!

    Reply
  74. Erika says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Yum! Looks like a great meal!

    Reply
  75. megan (brooklyn farmhouse) says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    I want to eat that right now.

    Reply
  76. Katrina says

    March 2, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    Kevin, YUM! What a perfect way to use up those leftovers!

    Reply
  77. lisa (dandysugar) says

    March 3, 2009 at 12:07 am

    I love eggplant panini sandwiches. I’ve never made my own though. This looks mouthwatering!!

    Reply
  78. Kevin says

    March 3, 2009 at 1:46 am

    Karen & j & j dish it out: I used a whole grain bread: Dempsters Ancient Grain. It contains things like flax, amaranth, quinoa, etc.

    Reply
  79. Paula says

    March 3, 2009 at 5:27 am

    What a great sandwich! I really enjoy eggplant, and haven’t had any since last summer! Like how you created your own panini press! I do something similar … I heat up a cast iron skillet and press it on top of the sandwich.

    Reply
  80. Peabody says

    March 3, 2009 at 9:03 am

    What yummy gooey goodness.

    Reply
  81. EAT! says

    March 3, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    I love a good vegetable sandwich. I think eating all the vegetables makes up for the large amounts of melted cheese.

    Reply
  82. Katie says

    March 3, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    I really shouldn’t look at your blog during lunch. I want this for lunch now!

    Reply
  83. Passionate Eater says

    March 4, 2009 at 8:09 am

    I am so glad that you liked the panini idea!

    Reply
  84. Anonymous says

    March 4, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    That is a fabulous way to finish the leftover. Great combo!

    Reply
  85. Deborah says

    March 5, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    I got a panini maker for Christmas, and this looks like a perfect sandwich for it!

    Reply
  86. Anonymous says

    March 6, 2009 at 11:25 am

    Wow….never thought of an eggplant in a sanwich. The pic looks so delicious!

    Reply
  87. mona says

    March 8, 2009 at 3:10 am

    Eggplants are my fav, thanks for sharing the idea!

    Reply
  88. The American Homemaker says

    March 8, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    I never make anything but eggplant parmesan with my eggplant 🙂 It’s one of my favorite dinners!

    Reply
  89. Stephanie says

    August 7, 2009 at 5:20 am

    eggplant and mozzarella happen to be two of my favorite foods. so this recipe made my day (: im definitely trying it this weekend!

    Reply
  90. Amy J in SC says

    September 13, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Great idea. I've now got plans for those last few eggplant in the garden.

    Reply
  91. The Pettits says

    September 23, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    This looks sooo good … I think I will make it today! I have some leftover eggplant but no mozz. I will substitute with what I have. Thanks Kev!

    Reply
  92. restaurantgroupie says

    October 26, 2009 at 5:25 am

    i love all your eggplant recipes – am always looking for new uses of eggplant! thank you!

    Reply
  93. Anonymous says

    March 27, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Wonderful food, beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  94. Levinson Axelrod says

    April 12, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    Great vegetarian option. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  95. Argia Designs says

    August 18, 2010 at 3:25 am

    I just changed tonight's menu so that I can save my eggplant to try this tomorrow! Looks delicious and I am drooling over just about every other post on this blog. I found it through a google image search for eggplant recipes 😀

    Reply
  96. Pineygrrl says

    May 5, 2018 at 12:56 am

    Let's bump this up as this is a great idea! I actually am running my Monday special in our nursing home short order cafeteria in a similar manner…garlic butter brushed ciabatta with a thick fried eggplant cutlet, sauteed thick slices of onions and peppers, and mozzarella!

    Reply
  97. Connie says

    September 13, 2020 at 12:17 am

    Kevin, I’m baffled…recipe says 1 serving, yet it says under ingredients 8 slices???? In any event, I used my culinary judgment and my sandwich was divine and heavenly gooeyness!!!! Are you Greek? Everyine of the greek recipes is absolutely perfect!

    Tip for frying your eggplant in oil: learned this in culinary school and for some reason, it works, oil NEVER gets absorbed.

    Dip each slice of eggplant into a bowl of 2 egg whites, coat well, fry immediately. You don’t have to add any more oil…

    Reply

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Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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