Grilled Eggplant Rollatini
Grilled Eggplant Rollatini is a healthier version of the classic eggplant rollatini. The eggplant is grilled instead of breaded and fried. It is then rolled up with homemade ricotta, fresh basil, Parmesan, fresh lemon and a hint of nutmeg. Serve as an appetizer or an entreé with your favorite tomato sauce.

Last week I made homemade ricotta. This is the second recipe using the ricotta, the first one was asparagus, ricotta and mint tartlets. Both very Spring-like with fresh, bright flavors of fresh lemon, basil and mint as well as seasonal vegetables.

For me, grilling eggplant is the best way to enjoy it. I like the flavor from the char and the natural sweetness that grilling brings out in the vegetable. Eggplant becomes very pliable when cooked, that’s why it’s perfect for this dish. Once the grilled eggplant is cool enough to a handle, it is rolled up with the ricotta mix.

If you don’t have a grill or indoor grill, you can brown the eggplant slices in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes per side.
Served over easy marinara sauce, this dish can be served as an appetizer with 2 or 3 rolls or entrée with 4 rolls. Garnished with freshly chopped basil and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

If you’ve tried this Grilled Eggplant Rollatini or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know it turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!
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Grilled Eggplant Rollatini

Eggplant is grilled, then rolled up with homemade ricotta, fresh basil, Parmesan, fresh lemon and a hint of nutmeg.
Ingredients
- 3 eggplants, slices lengthwise to yield 12 slices
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups (194 grams) homemade ricotta
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup (68 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated plus more for topping
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- Freshly grated nutmeg, about 30 runs across a grater
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Lay the eggplant slices onto a towel. Sprinkle evenly with salt and allow to sit for 20 minutes.
- Preheat an indoor grill pan or outdoor barbecue.
- Dry the eggplant slices and brush with olive oil, salt and pepper on both sides. Grill the eggplant slices for about 5 minutes per side until cooked with grill marks. Set aside and allow to cool.
- To a mixing bowl add the ricotta, basil, Parmesan, lemon zest and nutmeg.
- Preheat oven to 350°F/176°C.
- To a casserole dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce.
- Lay the eggplant slices out on a work surface and add 6 tablespoons of ricotta mixture to the end closest to you. Roll the ricotta into the eggplant and set in the casserole dish, seam-side down. Repeat with all slices, line them up in a single layer. Top with more marinara sauce and grated Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
3 rollsAmount Per Serving Calories 316Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 39mgSodium 598mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 5gSugar 2gProtein 16g
33 Comments on “Grilled Eggplant Rollatini”
Can you make this dish ahead of time? I want to do this for a dinner party.ย
You can make this ahead. I would assemble/roll the rollatini then store them separately, not in the sauce. Then, when you’re ready to serve, all you will need to do is assemble and bake for the 20 minutes. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions, enjoy.
This was EXCELLENT! I added a little bit of pesto to the ricotta mixture for a little added flavor. If I did it again I would warm the ricotta before rolling it in the eggplant. The eggplant cools down rapidly so you need to work fast.
I love the idea of adding pesto, I’ll give this a try.
This looks absolutely delicious! I’ve made your marinara sauce that is so good and easy and now I have to try this.
Thank you so much Nettie.
I am making this yumminess! Thank you for sharing.
I would love to try this…it sounds wonderful!
I made this on Sunday and it was a hit. I didn’t have time to make my own ricotta. my husband made the sauce (he doesn’t cook and it was good) and I did the rest. this is our new go-to veggie dish.
I need to get my husband to make the sauce. I’m glad you liked it.
These look delicious, can’t wait to try them!
Thank you Elisa
Thanky you Patty, the blog was still going through some updates.
I really love eggplant when it’s grilled. This is such a lovely dish Janette!
Fantastic idea for enjoying eggplant; congrats on this stellar post!
What a fabulous idea. This looks soooo good!
Dear Janette, I love this idea of yours. It’s fresh, light but equally delicious. It would be a hit with my family. xo, Catherine
veggielicious!!
Beautiful dish and one more reason I need to try that homemade ricotta!
Thank you Christine and you should ๐
What a gorgeous dish Janette! I have a similar one on my site, but your photos are much better!
Thank you so much Linda
Wow! This eggplant rollatini looks absolutely delicious!! Love seeing your beautiful homemade ricotta in there ๐
Thank you Nicole
This looks fantastic! I’m so glad you’re really putting your homemade ricotta to such great use and in such a variety of ways! Love a great eggplant recipe – can’t wait to try this one!
Thank you so much Kathleen ๐
outstanding. just a deliciously well done dish
This looks so beautiful! And healthy! I used to make an eggplant rotolo…but mine was smothered in cheese! This may be the healthier option ๐
Love the simplicity yet complexity of this dish. Does that make sense?
Wow, this looks so good! Would love this for dinner.
Thank you so much Emily ๐
Lovely dish Janette! I was planing to cook egg plant today (not for the blog), might try this recipe!
Thank you Mira, I loved grilled eggplant