Light aubergine gratin

A melting aubergine gratin with tomato sauce and Parmesan, parmigiana style but lighter: the aubergines are roasted in the oven instead of fried. Tasty, comforting and light, it is a vegetarian supper that puts this summer vegetable in the spotlight.

Prep: 20 min  |  Cooking: 40 min  |  Servings: 4  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 249 kcal · 8 g protein · 12 g carbohydrate · 17 g fat

Ingredients

• 3 aubergines
• 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
• 80 g of Parmesan
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• basil, oregano

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Slice the aubergines, brush them with oil and roast for 20 minutes (instead of frying them).
2. Make a tomato sauce with the garlic, chopped tomatoes and herbs.
3. Layer the aubergines, sauce and Parmesan in a dish.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, until the gratin is golden.

Nutritional benefits

By roasting the aubergines in the oven rather than frying them (they soak up a huge amount of oil in the pan), this gratin cuts the fat content considerably. Aubergine is low in calories and rich in fibre and antioxidants, the tomato sauce provides lycopene, and the Parmesan, in moderate amounts, adds flavour and calcium. A melting, comforting dish that stays light and has a low glycaemic index.

Variations and substitutions

• Dairy-free: replace the Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
• More protein: add lentils or ricotta between the layers.
• With courgettes as well as aubergines.
• Vegan: tomato sauce and golden breadcrumbs instead of cheese.

Storage and make-ahead

This gratin is better reheated the next day, once the flavours have developed. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge and freezes well. An excellent summer batch cooking dish.

💡 Good to know

To avoid bitterness and excess water, salt the aubergine slices and leave them to drain for 15 minutes before roasting. Oven cooking is the key to a light parmigiana.

Related reading

Discover more slimming recipes · vegetarian recipes · low GI recipes · gluten-free recipes.

The foods in this recipe: aubergines · tomatoes · Parmesan · garlic · olive oil.

You might also like these recipes: Homemade ratatouille · Pumpkin soup · Light courgette gratin.