High-Protein Skinny Baked Eggplant Casserole Recipe (5 Ingredients) Casseroles Vegetarian Vegetables Dinner Side Dishes High Protein Recipes Gluten-free Italian Recipes

So many of us are trying to lose weight right now (or always?). If you think you can't have a casserole while watching what you eat, think again. This Weight Watchers eggplant casserole recipe is rich, hearty, cheesy, saucy and satisfying.

The skinny eggplant casserole has just five gluten-free ingredients: spaghetti sauce, cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese and eggplant. The eggplant is sliced then grilled until soft and tender. The eggplant and other ingredients are layered in a square baking pan, then baked for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Not only is this easy skinny eggplant casserole delicious, you get the health benefits of cottage cheese and the health benefits of eggplant. Win-win! Serve this easy high-protein casserole with a salad or roasted vegetable for a complete vegetarian dinner.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup spaghetti sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese (or a combination)
• 3/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 pound eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

Here's how to make it: 

1. Grill the eggplant slices in a grill pan or on an indoor or outdoor grill until soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. (If you don't have a grill pan or grill, you can cook them in a skillet or cast iron pan.)
2. Put a layer of the eggplant onto the bottom of an 8x8-inch baking pan that's been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. 
3. Cover with half of the mozzarella, half of the spaghetti sauce and half of the cottage cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. (You can buy sugar-free, lower-sodium and healthier spaghetti sauces for this recipe. Most cheese comes in lower-fat versions these days, so feel free to switch the cheese out for your favorite variety.)
4. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 30 minutes. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave. 

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily. Food, fun, health, happiness.