Whole30 Hearty Eggplant Casserole

Savor the comforting flavors of this Whole30 Hearty Eggplant Casserole, a nourishing, grain-free twist on a classic favorite. Layers of tender roasted eggplant are nestled with a robust meat sauce made from savory ground beef, garlic, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. The casserole is topped with a golden almond flour and nutritional yeast crumble, adding a hint of nuttiness and cheesy flavor without dairy. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this wholesome casserole is Whole30-compliant, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly. With just the right balance of hearty and healthy, it’s a satisfying meal that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplant
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup almond flour
• 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange them in a single layer on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Step 3

Brush the eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 4

Roast the eggplants in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are tender and slightly golden.

Step 5

While the eggplant is roasting, finely chop the onion and garlic.

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened.

Step 7

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink.

Step 8

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of salt, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine almond flour, nutritional yeast, chopped parsley, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 10

Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Step 11

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce. Layer half of the roasted eggplants over the sauce.

Step 12

Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the eggplants. Repeat with another layer of eggplants and the rest of the meat sauce.

Step 13

Sprinkle the almond flour mixture evenly on top of the casserole.

Step 14

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.

Step 15

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Whole30 Hearty Eggplant Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2781.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2651.4

Total Fat 188.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 6625.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 154.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 62.9g	0%
Total Sugars 79.1g
Protein 121.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 581.1mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 6117.7mg	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: 60.6%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 22.1%