Eggplant Parmesan Soup
A hearty, flavorful eggplant parmesan soup blending roasted eggplant, ground beef, and aromatic herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or entertaining guests. Rich and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant ⓘ
- 1 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp margarine or butter ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/3 cup green pepper ⓘ
- 1 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz) can chopped tomatoes with juice ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp dried basil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp dried marjoram ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp pepper ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup marjoram ⓘ
- 1/2 c. marjoram, divided ⓘ
Instructions
- Peel eggplant if desired and cut into 1/4-inch slices.
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with 1 teaspoon salt and let stand for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, melt margarine or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and green pepper; sauté until tender.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes with their juice, dried oregano, basil, marjoram, salt, and pepper.
- Drain excess liquid if necessary and simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and combine with dry bread crumbs and half of the marjoram.
- Dip eggplant slices into the beaten eggs, then coat with bread crumb mixture.
- Arrange eggplant slices in the soup or layer in a baking dish and bake until golden, or add to the soup as desired.
- Simmer the soup until all ingredients are heated through and flavors meld, about 20 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of cream or milk to the soup. You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for a lighter version. If you don’t have marjoram, fresh basil or thyme can work well instead. Be sure to drain the eggplant well after salting to remove excess moisture and bitterness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty Eggplant Parmesan Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Lasagna or Meat Balls With Spaghetti. Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added flavor and color, making it a delightful dish for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with a damp paper towel, for about 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Eggplant Parmesan Soup contains roughly 1080 calories, with 35g protein, 143g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (90% of the Daily Value), calcium (70% of the Daily Value), and protein (69% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve as they meld together. Just reheat on the stove or in the microwave before serving. If you plan to freeze it, consider adding the eggplant just before serving to maintain its texture.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and substituting it with mushrooms or lentils for a hearty texture. Additionally, use vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor and replace any non-vegetarian ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
What can I serve with this soup?
This Eggplant Parmesan Soup pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or a fresh green salad. You can also serve it alongside a classic Italian antipasto platter for a more substantial meal. For a comforting touch, top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).