Aunt Mary's Eggplant Balls

4.3
(293)
237 Reviews
25 Photos

These hearty, delicious eggplant "meatballs" can be used as a vegetarian replacement for real meatballs, or they can be formed into patties and cooked like burgers.

Submitted by lynette
Updated on April 15, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
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Aunt Mary's Eggplant Balls garnished with cheese served on top of pasta with red sauce in a bowl
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
18 balls
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 cups cubed eggplant, with peel

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 cup chopped fresh parsley

  • ¾ cup dry bread crumbs, or more as needed

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Directions

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Aunt Mary's Eggplant Balls ingredients in glass bowls

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  2. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Garlic cooking in a pan on a burner

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  3. Stir in eggplant and water. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and steam until eggplant is soft, about 20 minutes.

    Garlic and eggplant cooking in a pan on a burner

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  4. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

    Cooked eggplant pieces in a glass bowl

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  5. Add parsley, bread crumbs, Parmesan, and eggs to eggplant; mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until thoroughly combined and mixture can be rolled into balls. Add more bread crumbs as needed to make mixture workable. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

    Parsley, bread crumbs, Parmesan, eggs and eggplant mixture in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

  7. Roll chilled eggplant mixture into 18 balls; place onto the prepared baking sheet.

    Uncooked Aunt Mary's Eggplant Balls on a baking sheet

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  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

    Baked Aunt Mary's Eggplant Balls on a baking sheet

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
390 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

201 Calories
12g Fat
16g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 201
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g 16%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 54mg 18%
Sodium 257mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g 15%
Vitamin C 15mg 16%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 185mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.