Eggplant Parm(less) Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Eggplant parmesan over spaghetti was my go-to meal that I would always order whenever I ate at an Italian Restaurant (up until this year). Unfortunately I won’t ever be able to order it again with all of the breading, shared fryers, etc. I knew I needed to re-create a paleo version to satisfy my cravings! This casserole has layers of garlic marinara (store-bought because ain’t nobody got time to make homemade….maybe someday), spaghetti squash, and fried eggplant rounds. And when I said fried, I mean in avocado oil. HEALTHY fats. Yes- there is such a thing! Fats are your friend 🙂 This is also Whole30 compliant.
You can cook the spaghetti squash ahead of time, scrape out the “spaghetti” and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Just bring it to room temp before adding to the casserole.
Eggplant Parm(less) Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 2 medium-sized eggplants, washed and sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds
- 1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
- 1 jar sugar-free marinara sauce, I like Wegman's garlic sauce, and Rao's Homemade
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- t tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
Instructions
- For spaghetti squash: Preheat oven to 400. Cut squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Place face-down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes until tender. Reduce oven temp to 375 to preheat for the casserole.
- Meanwhile, mix the eggs together in a shallow dish. Mix the almond flour, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, and herbs together in another shallow bowl.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Dip the eggplant rounds first in the egg, then coat in the almond flour mixture, then add to the hot pan.
- Cook the rounds for 2 minutes each side, then move to a paper-towel lined plate. Work in batches until they are all done. Set aside.
- Layer a 9x13 casserole dish, starting with 1/3 of the sauce as the bottom layer. Add 1 half of the spaghetti squash contents as the next layer, then add some eggplant rounds. Repeat and top everything with the remaining sauce.
- Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!
5 Comments on “Eggplant Parm(less) Spaghetti Squash Casserole”
Very good! I added cottage cheese between the layers and real parmesan on top. Thanks very much!
Thanks Leslie!
This is my NEW favorite way to make eggplant! Thank you for another wonderful, easy, delicious, paleo recipe!
Do you think this could be made with just grilled eggplant, skipping the breading step?
Yes! That should work