Eggplant Timbale

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Neapolitan

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (75)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(75)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Difficult
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 45 min
Inactive Prep: 10 min
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 1 hr 55 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

2 medium eggplants, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound penne pasta
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian pork sausage
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 cups store-bought marinara sauce
1 1/2 cups diced smoked mozzarella cheese (about 6 ounces)
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus 1/4 cup
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Special equipment: 9-inch springform pan

Directions

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or pre-heat a gas or charcoal grill. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the eggplant slices with 1/3 cup olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant until tender and colored with grill marks, about 4 minutes per side. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.

Meanwhile, warm the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the beef and pork, and brown the meat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the peas and marinara sauce and stir to combine. Add the cheeses, basil, and cooked pasta. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the springform pan with the grilled eggplant. Be sure that the slices overlap and hang over the edge of the pan. Fill the pan with the pasta mixture, pressing down to make sure the pan is filling up evenly. Fold the eggplant slices up over the top of the pasta and add a few more slices on top to completely enclose the timbale. Bake the timbale until warmed through and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Let rest on the counter for 10 minutes to set.

To serve, invert the timbale onto a serving plate and remove the springform pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese over the top. Slice and serve.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

Perciatelli in the Style of the Prince of Naples: Perciatelli Principe di Napoli

Photo: Eggplant Timbale

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 18

View all 18 Italian Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Eggplant Timbale
Ricardo Malden, MA 02-03-2010
Flag

This was great
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this the other night with my wife, except we made it all vegetarian, it turned out perfectly and I let it rest after I... took it out of the oven and it didn't fall apart, even when I cut into it. We loved it and will make it again. Thanks for the recipe.Read more
recipe Eggplant Timbale
Lisa Dallas, TX 02-01-2010
Flag

Tastes as fabulous as it looks!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this last night for my family-my husband was so impressed with the way it came out. It truly looked just like the... photo and my daughter Rachel said Mom this is unbelievable!!!! I did add a bit more pasta to the mix and had a bit left over so I put the extra pasta mixture in a separate tupperware container to eat for a lunch or leftover meal. It served us last ngith and we will look forward to enjoying it tonight as we all watch "The Bachelor"!!!! Giada-I have made so many of your dishes and this one will definitely be made again. Everyone should try this if you want to impress family or friends.Read more
recipe Eggplant Timbale
Debra Webster, NY 01-29-2010
Flag

Beautiful and Delicious!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was almost too pretty to eat once it came out of the pan! I agree with previous reviewers that you need 4 eggplants and... be sure to slice them thick enough so that they don't fall apart as you are grilling them. I also decided to add some minced garlic to the onion in the pan as well as mushrooms. I used my own tomatoe sauce and had enough to put in a gravy bowl to place on top of the eggplant after you dish it out. Everyone in my family loved this dish and I will definately be making it again.Read more
recipe Eggplant Timbale
geo manahawkin, NJ 01-28-2010
Flag

very tasty
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

great and easy, great presentation, i would however use 3-4 eggplants, because the slices do not come out as perfect as... giada's and you will not end up with enough slices, it also does need probably 45 min in oven to bakeRead more
recipe Eggplant Timbale
Christine Chicago, IL 01-26-2010
Flag

Eggplant Timbale Neapolitan show
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Do you guys really test these things? As it was presented, I had to put this back in the oven 2 more X's trying to get a... crust on the outside layer. This should be in the oven at a minimum of 375 for 1 hour 15 mins. AND depending on the size of the eggplant, you may need more than 2. I made do with what I had today, When I released it from the springform pan I immediately placed it back on a baking sheet to set. Come on. Some of us are really serious about making these recipes!! Christine Erengis Chicago, IlRead more
recipe Eggplant Timbale
monique Dayville, CT 01-24-2010
Flag

This was so much fun to make!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I wasn't sure it would stay together one I took it out of the pan. I was surprised how well it came out. I will definitely... make this again!! Read more