Eggplant Upside Down Pie
A savory eggplant upside-down pie featuring roasted eggplant, seasoned rice, Italian sausage, and melted cheeses, perfect for a hearty, flavorful meal suitable for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1 lb. eggplant, cut in 1/4-inch slices ⓘ
- 1/4 c. oil ⓘ
- 1 c. long grain rice ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. sweet Italian sausage (bulk) ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 egg, slightly beaten ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 c. shredded Provolone cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- Grease the bottom and sides of a 10-inch pie plate with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil.
- Dust the greased pie plate with bread crumbs.
- Place eggplant slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides with 1/4 cup oil.
- Broil the eggplant about 5 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
- Cook rice following package directions and add salt as needed.
- Drain excess liquid from the rice and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage until browned, then add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
- Mix tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper into the sausage mixture.
- Layer the cooked rice in the prepared pie plate.
- Top the rice with the sausage mixture and roasted eggplant slices.
- Sprinkle shredded Provolone and Mozzarella cheeses over the top.
- Bake in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until cheeses are melted and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the dish, consider adding chopped bell peppers or zucchini to the sausage mixture for extra flavor and texture. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the Italian sausage with lentils or mushrooms. For a quicker preparation, use pre-cooked rice or leftover rice from the In A Hurry Italian Rice Skillet.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Eggplant Upside Down Pie with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a light tomato sauce for dipping. For a heartier option, consider serving alongside Easy Family Lasagna for a comforting Italian feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Eggplant Upside Down Pie contains roughly 494 calories, with 20g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (45% of the Daily Value), protein (40% of the Daily Value), and iron (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1766mg per serving (77% 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 use a different type of cheese for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the Provolone and Mozzarella with other cheeses like Gouda or Fontina for a different flavor. Just ensure that the cheese melts well for the best texture.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make the Eggplant Upside Down Pie gluten-free, substitute the bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Also, ensure that the sausage does not contain gluten.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the layers in advance and refrigerate them separately. When ready to bake, assemble the layers in the pie plate and bake as directed. This makes it great for meal prep or serving at gatherings.
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).