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
ingredients
- * olive oil
- 1 eggplant (cut into 1/4 inch slices)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 8 slices bread
- 8 slices of mozzarella
directions
- Saute the eggplant in oil in a pan in batches.
- Spread the marinara sauce over one side of each slice of bread.
- Place a slice of mozzarella on each slice of bread.
- Place the eggplant on half of the slices of bread and top with the other half.
- Lightly brush the bread with olive oil and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
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Steph says
March 1, 2009 at 12:18 amI never thought of putting eggplant in a sandwich. This looks just too good!
Sweet Bird says
March 1, 2009 at 1:34 amThis is a great flavor combination Kevin!
VeggieGirl says
March 1, 2009 at 1:39 amMmm, fabulous use for eggplant!!
Astra Libris says
March 1, 2009 at 1:46 amMmmm, you’ve created the perfect panini… YUM!! Eggplant and mozzarella are the best together!
Lisa says
March 1, 2009 at 2:20 amThis looks awesome!
Hayley says
March 1, 2009 at 2:39 amThis sandwich looks incredible! That oozey cheese and eggplant combo is something else.
Leslie says
March 1, 2009 at 2:41 amKevin..this looks like the perfect sandwich!!
Melissa says
March 1, 2009 at 2:55 amWow, that looks incredible with the cheese just oozing out of it!
Sharon says
March 1, 2009 at 2:59 amOh my gosh, looks amazing Kevin!
Pam says
March 1, 2009 at 3:20 amI’m not a big eggplant fan, but it comes in my CSA. This looks so good, I’ve bookmarked it to try.
Heather says
March 1, 2009 at 3:22 amyum 🙂 it’s like eggplant parm on a sandwich! sounds so mouth-wateringly delicious!
Jennifer says
March 1, 2009 at 3:30 amWow! What a GREAT idea!!!
Noodlegirl says
March 1, 2009 at 3:46 amOh that looks so delicious!
Foodess says
March 1, 2009 at 3:47 amThat is my perfect lunch. Right. There. I ♥ eggplant! And what a droolworthy photo!
ttfn300 says
March 1, 2009 at 4:02 amfantastic! loving the oozy goodness 🙂
TINTIN says
March 1, 2009 at 4:03 amI’m hungry now…droolzz~~
Daziano says
March 1, 2009 at 4:15 amWonderful panino, Kevin!
Cakebrain says
March 1, 2009 at 4:48 amKevin,
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!
Anonymous says
March 1, 2009 at 5:00 amDrooling drooing..
Proud Italian Cook says
March 1, 2009 at 5:11 amI’m sold!!! Crazy about eggplant!
Creative Rhetorics says
March 1, 2009 at 5:11 amLooks good. I don’t have a panini grill either, but I find that the electric waffle iron usually does the job.
Psychgrad says
March 1, 2009 at 5:39 amThis looks really good. I also like the quinoa salad. Some nice heathier options there.
Arundathi says
March 1, 2009 at 5:52 amwhat 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.
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella says
March 1, 2009 at 6:52 amI love this combination! Looks delicious Kevin! 🙂
Beachlover says
March 1, 2009 at 7:20 amMy hubby will like this!! now I know what to cook for him with eggplant!! thanks for sharing!
Jan says
March 1, 2009 at 7:23 amYum yum – I love both eggplant and mozzarella!
diva says
March 1, 2009 at 11:09 amgreat combo. i want a panini now! x
OhioMom says
March 1, 2009 at 11:36 amI love how the cheese just oozes out of that sandwich .. great combo for a panini.
Debbie says
March 1, 2009 at 12:59 pmEggplant is one of my favorites. What a great idea to have it in a panini sandwich!
tamilyn says
March 1, 2009 at 1:37 pmI 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 🙂
Foodie with Little Thyme! says
March 1, 2009 at 1:54 pmThis 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
Joanne says
March 1, 2009 at 2:35 pmThis looks totally wow-worthy. And it will definitely be making it into my lunchtime rotation.
Nirvana says
March 1, 2009 at 2:44 pmThis is such a wonderful idea!!! It must taste fantastic!
Clumbsy Cookie says
March 1, 2009 at 2:45 pmLook at that wonderful cheese melting! What a nice veggie panini!
Netts Nook says
March 1, 2009 at 2:59 pmKevin- Eggplant is my favorite I have a hard time with the bitterness I must be doing something yours looks great.
Jamie says
March 1, 2009 at 3:03 pmWow! Just perfect! Crunchy and gooey looks so delectable.
Brilynn says
March 1, 2009 at 3:46 pmI don’t make nearly enough use of my sandwich press. This looks delicious!
nithya at hungrydesi says
March 1, 2009 at 4:17 pmThis is our favorite way to enjoy leftover eggplant parm! Looks delicious.
Holler says
March 1, 2009 at 5:28 pmI 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 🙂
chez aurora says
March 1, 2009 at 5:49 pmoh yummy, I’d love a bite of that right now! 🙂
Barbara
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
March 1, 2009 at 6:19 pmThis looks seriously fabulous! Reminds me of the eggplant parm sandwiched my grandma used to make.
elly says
March 1, 2009 at 6:26 pmMmm look at all that ooey gooey cheese! This looks perfect.
Karen says
March 1, 2009 at 6:40 pmThis looks really, good Kevin. What’s the bread… it looks like a multi-grain bread -??
chefectomy says
March 1, 2009 at 7:28 pmNo lie, totally making this..
–Marc
Ozge says
March 1, 2009 at 7:30 pmHey 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 🙂
Bridgett says
March 1, 2009 at 7:30 pmHow decadent! I could easily devour one of these.
Millie says
March 1, 2009 at 8:00 pmWow, I’m going to try that. So yummy. I love the marinara in there too.
Skinny says
March 1, 2009 at 10:01 pmThat made my mouth water. It looks amamzing!
unconfidentialcook says
March 2, 2009 at 1:11 amI 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?
Christelle says
March 2, 2009 at 1:15 amI love eggplants! :))
We call them aubergine in Europe, and they are called eggplants in Asia too, not sure if it reflects variety..
Helene says
March 2, 2009 at 1:15 amKevin, thanks again for the help.
This panini looks delicious.
Not Another Omnivore says
March 2, 2009 at 1:33 amLooks fabulous! So many great eggplant recipes out there lately!
NAOmni
Zesty Cook says
March 2, 2009 at 1:48 amKevin, this looks amazing!! I love eggplant
Marjie says
March 2, 2009 at 2:18 amGrilled sandwiches are great! Great idea to take an ordinary meal and give it a twist!
Bobby says
March 2, 2009 at 3:29 ampanini’s are great, they sound amazing with egg plant. This looks delicious Kevin!
ChichaJo says
March 2, 2009 at 3:46 amEggplant is a favorite and this panini looks like a winner of a recipe!
Chef Fresco says
March 2, 2009 at 4:02 ammmm eggplant and cheese, great combo!
Dawn S. says
March 2, 2009 at 4:11 amI 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.
Muneeba says
March 2, 2009 at 4:15 amohhhhhhhh Kevin … this panini makes me very happy! I feel an “mmmmm” building up inside me just by looking at your pic!
Manger La Ville says
March 2, 2009 at 4:17 amSounds delicious. Can I get this for lunch tomorrow??? Gooey and wonderful, I like the addition of marinera sauce.
Pam says
March 2, 2009 at 5:37 amThe gooey cheese is making me drool – great photo and recipe Kevin.
Marie says
March 2, 2009 at 8:45 amOh gosh that looks decadent Kevin!! I bet it was delicious!
Sophie says
March 2, 2009 at 10:25 amSimple yet so delicious!!! MMMMMM….Can I come over for lunch?
Parker says
March 2, 2009 at 12:49 pmI love this combo! What a great idea.
Natashya says
March 2, 2009 at 1:46 pmI 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!
j & j dish it out says
March 2, 2009 at 2:57 pmKevin, 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?
Judy says
March 2, 2009 at 3:04 pmWhat a great sandwich idea.
Colleen says
March 2, 2009 at 4:22 pmWow this looks like the perfect lunch for a snowy day (like today)!
Cheryl says
March 2, 2009 at 4:42 pmI have never eaten Eggplant, except in a dip, but I would scarf this right up!
♥Rosie♥ says
March 2, 2009 at 4:46 pmWhat a great idea Kevin. I would have thought of adding eggplant in a sandwich and it does look awesome!
Rosie x
Laurie says
March 2, 2009 at 6:05 pmYou 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…
We Are Not Martha says
March 2, 2009 at 6:14 pmAhhh! 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
Anonymous says
March 2, 2009 at 8:13 pmQuite a popular recipe here on the blogosphere! 🙂 It’s veggie good!
Erika says
March 2, 2009 at 10:04 pmYum! Looks like a great meal!
megan (brooklyn farmhouse) says
March 2, 2009 at 10:23 pmI want to eat that right now.
Katrina says
March 2, 2009 at 10:42 pmKevin, YUM! What a perfect way to use up those leftovers!
lisa (dandysugar) says
March 3, 2009 at 12:07 amI love eggplant panini sandwiches. I’ve never made my own though. This looks mouthwatering!!
Kevin says
March 3, 2009 at 1:46 amKaren & j & j dish it out: I used a whole grain bread: Dempsters Ancient Grain. It contains things like flax, amaranth, quinoa, etc.
Paula says
March 3, 2009 at 5:27 amWhat 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.
Peabody says
March 3, 2009 at 9:03 amWhat yummy gooey goodness.
EAT! says
March 3, 2009 at 2:04 pmI love a good vegetable sandwich. I think eating all the vegetables makes up for the large amounts of melted cheese.
Katie says
March 3, 2009 at 6:44 pmI really shouldn’t look at your blog during lunch. I want this for lunch now!
Passionate Eater says
March 4, 2009 at 8:09 amI am so glad that you liked the panini idea!
Anonymous says
March 4, 2009 at 11:02 pmThat is a fabulous way to finish the leftover. Great combo!
Deborah says
March 5, 2009 at 8:47 pmI got a panini maker for Christmas, and this looks like a perfect sandwich for it!
Anonymous says
March 6, 2009 at 11:25 amWow….never thought of an eggplant in a sanwich. The pic looks so delicious!
mona says
March 8, 2009 at 3:10 amEggplants are my fav, thanks for sharing the idea!
The American Homemaker says
March 8, 2009 at 5:27 pmI never make anything but eggplant parmesan with my eggplant 🙂 It’s one of my favorite dinners!
Stephanie says
August 7, 2009 at 5:20 ameggplant and mozzarella happen to be two of my favorite foods. so this recipe made my day (: im definitely trying it this weekend!
Amy J in SC says
September 13, 2009 at 12:44 pmGreat idea. I've now got plans for those last few eggplant in the garden.
The Pettits says
September 23, 2009 at 11:08 pmThis 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!
restaurantgroupie says
October 26, 2009 at 5:25 ami love all your eggplant recipes – am always looking for new uses of eggplant! thank you!
Anonymous says
March 27, 2010 at 8:40 pmWonderful food, beautiful pictures!
Levinson Axelrod says
April 12, 2010 at 3:33 pmGreat vegetarian option. Thanks for the idea.
Argia Designs says
August 18, 2010 at 3:25 amI 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 😀
Pineygrrl says
May 5, 2018 at 12:56 amLet'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!