Hello Meatless Monday friends! Sarah and I are happy to have you join us for the link up today. I’ve literally been cooking up a storm this weekend during the blizzard and will have lots of veggie goodness to share with you the next few weeks. Today I am showing you my lighter, healthier version of a traditional Eggplant Parm. This Polenta Eggplant dish is layered with Polenta, Eggplant and spinach in individual stacks. You have the taste and comfort of traditional eggplant parm without the breaded, fried eggplant. These stacks are also portion controlled but I guarantee you will have a hard time not eating them!
This Polenta Eggplant dish is naturally gluten free as Polenta is made from corn meal. The polenta is baked first to give it a crispy taste and makes a great layer with the eggplant to bring a heartier taste. Instead of breading the eggplant, I’ve created a gluten free panko topping combining spices and gf bread crumbs that gets sprinkled on top. That way, you have the texture and flavor of a breading without the actual breading.
Polenta is great to cook with as it is inexpensive, low in carbohydrates and high in vitamins A & C (source) It is easy to find pre made polenta (organic and non organic) on a regular grocery store shelf. All you have to do is slice it up no precooking necessary.
I’ve thrown a layer of spinach in there as well to give a little color and up the vitamins as well.
Polenta Eggplant Stacks
Ingredients
- 1 roll of polenta cut into 1/2 inch circles
- 1 large eggplant-skin on, cut into 1/2 inch circles
- 1 large tomato cut into 1/4 inch slices
- 3 cups of spinach
- 2 cups of tomato sauce
- 8 oz of shredded mozzarella cheese
- for topping:
- 1/2 c gf panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp oregano, basil, parsley and red pepper
Instructions
- Place eggplant and polenta on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray
- sprinkle with small amount of salt
- Bake at 375 for 20 min, turning midway and re spray
- Remove from oven
- Meanwhile, saute spinach and set aside
- In a casserole dish:
- create a layer of tomato sauce
- add eggplant circles, top with spinach, then with tomato slices followed by polenta
- top with a few spoons of sauce & sprinkle with cheese
- To make the topping:
- heat a skillet with a Tbl of olive oil
- add in panko crumbs and spices and cook until browned on med low heat
- less than 5 min stirring continuously
- Sprinkle on top of each stack
- Bake stacks for 20 until cheese is warm and bubbly & serve
This Polenta & Eggplant stacks have been one of my favorite go to winter meals for years. I hope that you enjoy it as well. It’s really very easy to whip up for a weeknight meal and makes great leftovers for lunch the next day.
Tell me do you cook with lots of Polenta? How do you like to make it?
We are looking forward to you joining us today!
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These are so beautiful! I love polenta too. I bet it would be great with fresh mozzarella as well – like a baked eggplant caprese!
Exactly fresh mozzarella will work too can you ever have too much cheese?
Yum, this looks fab! I love anything eggplant…will need to try this one! I was cooking and baking up a storm this weekend too stuck in the house with the blizzard!
I know me too now I have tons of food to eat up this week!
Yum!! I haven’t had polenta since I vacationed in Italy. Not sure why I never thought of cooking it at home. You’ve given me ideas!
If you buy the pre made polenta it is so easy to use and so versatile. Hope you enjoy
I adore eggplant. I be never had polenta. Does it have wheat in it? Glad you survived all the snow!
Polenta is made from corn meal so it is naturally gluten free double check the brand you find but pure polenta is gf.
Blizzards are always the best for Baking! I’m just happy for ONCE here in upstate NY we aren’t getting the blizzard! Thank you for taking one for the team!
I know it’s rare for us to get this much snow! It’s fun for a few days but now I am kind of done and would like my running trail back!
I love polenta and eggplant, so I can’t wait to try this dish! Thank you for sharing & hosting this fun link-up
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy and I love meatless Monday too what a great way to discover new blogs
Oh love the polenta in this! My hubby loves eggplant- I bet this is something he’d enjoy! Thanks for the linkup!
Thanks hope you both like it! Polenta is so good and I forget to use it
YUM! I love making these kinds of dishes and make a similar eggplant stack at home. But I love the use of polenta in this dish. Doing this one next time!
Thanks the polenta adds a nice change of pace and makes it a little more filling for winter. Hope you enjoy
How delicious! I love the combination of flavors in this. How creative. Glad you are safe and warm in this mess!
Thanks! adding the polenta in really makes it a lot heartier for winter.
I have never cooked w polenta. But I do like eggplant. I’m sure it’s a great combo. .
If you buy the premade polenta its super easy you can’t go wrong!
Love eggplant stacks and healthier eggplant parm. I can’t remember the last time I had polenta!
Polenta is great and so easy if you buy the premade. Hope you enjoy 🙂
These look delish. Does the eggplant stay crisp? I don’t like when it gets soggy.
You can certainly cook the eggplant for a little time to leave it a little firmer. Let me know if you give it a try
I’ve only had polenta once and it was last year at this cute tapas restaurant. They topped it with some pulled pork and veggies and I was in heaven. I love anything with eggplant, so I will need to try this dish!
I love polenta and always forget about using it. Hope you enjoy!
OOOO I just bought polenta, but hadn’t cooked it before so wasn’t sure what I’d do with it! I will definitely give this recipe a try!! Thanks!
It’s pretty hard to mess up polenta you got this! Enjoy 🙂
These look delicious! I’ve been craving eggplant parm for the last few weeks since we went to a place for dinner I use to get it. Food was ordered and it wasn’t very exciting as I could only eat the salad. I haven’t made it in over a year, maybe years, since my family wasn’t a fan of it the last time I made it. Maybe I make these and if they don’t care for it I just freeze them and pull them out for lunch.
Happy Meatless Monday!
That just means more for you! Have a great Meatless Monday
These look so colorful and delicious! I bought polenta once to try and had an experience I can’t shake from my memory. Let’s just say mice like polenta. Very much.
oh my! Well if you use the premade kind you can keep it in the fridge where it is safe 🙂
OMG this looks delicious!
Thanks hope you give it a try!
This is such a super yummy meatless dish! Pinning!
Thanks hope you like it 🙂
Looks absolutely delicious!! I intended to cook up a “storm” during the storm but of course it didn’t happen, sigh…looking forward to seeing more recipes!
Oh we cooked all weekend it was fun but now I am ready to get out and about again
Love the italian flare of this dish! I am a huuuuuge eggplant lover but I don’t have polenta as often as I should! I like it, I just never find myself buying it! Must change that after seeing this recipe!
It’s really easy to cook with hope you enjoy!Thanks for stopping by
I like polenta but I have never tried cooking with it myself. I think this dish looks better than traditional eggplant parm- nice job!
Thanks so much! Polenta is really easy to work with especially if you buy the pre made type. hope you and your hubby like it
Yum! I always see the logs of polenta in Trader Joe’s but wasn’t’ quite sure how to prepare them. Thanks for the yummy idea.
Yes that’s exactly what you want to use! It’s very easy I hope you enjoy
WOW! Too funny…we were talking about how much we craved eggplant yesterday.
Great cold weather recipe… Calling Balducci’s now, since Safeway and Giant by me has bare produce aisles due to the storm.
Can’t wait to make this recipe- thanks!!!
Thanks! It’s really easy to make too once the stores re stock or you can come over and I will make it for you sometime 🙂
Yum!!! Was exactly what we craved. Made it this afternoon, and although it doesn’t look as pretty as yours, it tasted amazing.
oh great to hear! Hope you enjoyed 🙂
I’ve tried making eggplant parm a few times and it always end up failing. I’ll need to give your recipe a go and see if I can master it once and for all!
You can’t mess this one up it’s really easy
Oh, these look really interesting. I haven’t cooked with polenta in ages b/c my husb is not a fan, but I do like it.
I like it too but often forget about it. It’s really good though isn’t it?!
I so wish I could make this! Two of the four of us are allergic to eggplant. Whomp whomp. But this looks so tasty!
I’ve never heard of anyone being allergic to eggplant! I would try it with a portobella mushroom!
My mom is a huge fan of eggplant parm, so I’ll have to share this alternative with her. Hopefully she’ll give it a try!
Thanks! Hope she likes it
Team Polenta forever!!!
My husband and my mom are both huge eggplant part fans. I will have to give this a try for them.
oh great hope they enjoy!
I don’t think I’ve ever willingly eaten eggplant, but that does look good… 🙂
really?? Why? Have you ever tried it?
Another delicious recipe Deborah. I bet this one tastes even better the next day.
It’s one of my favorites and super easy
I’ve never tried cooking with polenta before. This is a great idea and looks so yummy!
It is really easy to cook with especially if you buy the pre made kind. Hope you like it!
Love all sorts of Italian food, especially eggplant-related items!! These look delish.
Thanks eggplant is always one of my faves too!
Yum! I’m still pretty new to eggplant and this sounds really good!
It’s really easy you will love it!
I love eggplant. Im pinning this for later, it looks delish!
Thanks so much enjoy!
What a great, quick recipe! It seriously looks super yummy! I love simple recipes that are packed with lots of veggies, especially when they have CHEESE!
Thanks it is easy to make on a weeknight enjoy!
Your eggplant stacks sound so good! So veggie-filled. And definitely perfect for cooling weather for some nice comforting food =)
Thanks for inviting me to share a recipe at Meatless Mondays – I’m sharing my Kale Carrot Beet Salad. Have a great day!
So glad to have you join us! Hope to see you again and yes this is an easy yummy one hope you enjoy