My Mom's Southern Eggplant Aubergine Casserole

Comfort food at its finest, My Mom’s Southern Eggplant Aubergine Casserole is a rich and creamy dish that’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Featuring tender cubes of eggplant, sautéed onions, sharp cheddar cheese, and a hint of garlic, this hearty casserole is brought to life with a luscious mixture of heavy cream, Parmesan, and warm spices like paprika. Topped with a buttery, golden layer of crushed crackers, it offers a delightful crunch to balance the velvety interior. With simple preparation and classic Southern flavors, this casserole makes an irresistible side dish or a satisfying vegetarian main. Perfect for showcasing eggplant in a crowd-pleasing way, it's a recipe steeped in cozy tradition and bursting with flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 eggplants (medium-sized)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups water
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 cups buttery crackers (crushed, e.g., Ritz)
• 3 tablespoons butter (melted, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Peel the eggplants and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a large pot, add the water and salt, and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat until the eggplant is tender (about 8-10 minutes). Drain the eggplant thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked eggplant, sautéed onion and garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, lightly beaten eggs, heavy cream, black pepper, and paprika. Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 6

In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.

Step 8

Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2821.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4386.6

Total Fat 340.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 195.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g
Cholesterol 1233.5mg	0%
Sodium 9175.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 24.7g
Protein 174.9g	0%

Vitamin D 156.0IU	0%
Calcium 4432.1mg	0%
Iron 8.5mg	0%
Potassium 1405.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.4%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 14.8%