Try these eggplant ideas for pizza, fries, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Seriously, this is one versatile vegetable!

We compiled easy eggplant recipes that prove its status as a versatile veggie superstar.

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Photo:Greg DuPree

Learninghow to cook eggplantis pretty easy.

The rich miso dressing gives them a salty, umami flavor that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Serve alongside fish or meat for an easy, impressive meal.

Slices of Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds on a Baking Sheet

Antonis Achilleos

The dish has all the cheesy, saucy goodness of lasagna without the heaviness of pasta and ground beef.

Fresh eggplant,shredded chicken, and salty capers create a delicious and surprising topping for pizza.

A prepared pizza dough (homemade or store-bought) makes for fast-and-easy prep.

Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini in a Baking Dish With a Metal Serving Spoon to the Right

Jonny Valiant

It’s easy but delivers complex flavors, making it a great recipe for entertaining.

Grilled Eggplant Salad

Eggplant shines in this simple grilled-salad recipe.

To avoid bitterness, choose young, small eggplants that don’t have a lot of seeds.

Eggplant and Chicken Caponata Pizza With One Slice Cut Out, Served on a Circular White Plate

Jen Causey

Real Simple Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad

Who doesn’t lovepasta salad?

The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld, so make extra to enjoy through the week.

A riff off Kung Pao, it features a savory cornstarch-soy sauce mixture that thickens around crispsummer veggies.

Greek Lamb Burgers With Baked Eggplant Fries, Served on Two White Plates, One Open Face

Greg DuPree

To ensure the vegetables don’t get soggy, sear them in batches for tender, golden-brown bites.

Eat it warm for dinner, or serve it at room temperature for your next picnic.

If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinklesumac spiceover the dip for added tart, citrus-like notes.

Grilled Eggplant Salad With Tomatoes and Romaine Hearts

Andre Baranowski

Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry

Add a sliced chili to this vegetarian stir-fry for a boost of heat.

An optional dollop of plain yogurt balances the warming curry sauce in this fresh, summery dish.

Full of protein and nutritious vegetables, serve with rice for a complete meal.

Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta on a Table

Greg DuPree

Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry

Eggplant’s meaty texture makes it a true stir-fry star.

Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan

Is there anything more satisfying than digging into a decadent plate of eggplant Parmesan?

If you’re searching for afamily-friendly mealthat takes roughly an hour to make, this is it!

Miso Eggplant Dip Served With Radishes and Crackers

Caitlin Bensel

To make this irresistible Italian sandwich, roast eggplant slices until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Serve topped with feta cheese and you have a delicious appetizer orvegetable side dishthat’s easy to make.

Enjoy thisslow-cooker recipeas-is, or serve it with couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for a heartier meal.

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad in a Serving Bowl With a Metal Fork

Greg DuPree

Pair with red wine or a rich, dark beer for the perfect dinner.

Top with marinara sauce, Parmesan, and fresh basil for a tasty lunch or dinner.

The result is a massive batch of vegetables that keeps for days.

Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts, Served Open-Face With Greens

Charles Masters

Serve alongside grilled meat, chicken, or fish for a delicious summer meal.

The roasted and caramelized veggies combine with creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella for the full pizza-shop experience.

A side dish of marinara sauce accommodates lots of dipping.

Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry With Eggplants, Served With White Rice on a White Plate

Greg DuPree

In most of the Continental U.S., eggplant is in season from July through October.

The top-producing state is New Jersey, followed by California, Florida, and Georgia.

Globally, the most prolific eggplant-growing countries are China and India.

Cooked Eggplant-Mushroom “Meatballs” in a White Skillet

Jennifer Causey

Alternatively, you could puree roasted eggplant and then freeze it for several months.

They’re especially well-suited to grilling and stir-frying.

Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini, Served on a White Plate With Half a Lemon

Jennifer Causey

Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta With Eggplant, Served in a Blue Bowl With a Metal Fork for Eating

Marcus Nilsson

Eggplant Dip in a Small Bowl Served With Feta and Crudités on a White Serving Platter

Victor Protasio

Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry Served on a Bed of White Rice on a White Plate

José Picayo

Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes, Basil, and Chickpeas, Served With White Rice on a White Plate

Con Poulos

Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry Served on a Bed of White Rice, an easy eggplant recipe

Jen Causey

Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan Served With a Side Salad on a White Plate

Paul Sirisalee

Two eggplant parmesan panini sandwiches on a wooden cutting board with a side salad in the background

Caitlin Bensel

Two Roasted Baby Eggplants Served on a White Plate With a Metal Spoon

Amy Neunsinger

Ratatouille in a Red Cooking Pot

Maura McEvoy

Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew Served With Couscous in a Bowl

Victor Protasio

Eggplant-and-Tomato Masala With Chickpeas on a Bed of White Rice Served on a White Plate With Metal-and-Wood Utensils for Eating

Antonis Achilleos

Vegetarian Eggplant Shepherd’s Pie in a white pot with a small bowl of the dish and a metal spoon for eating

Caitlin Bensel

Two Meatless Eggplant-Mushroom Meatball Subs on a Baking Sheet

Caitlin Bensel

Summer’s End Ratatouille

Jen Causey

roasted veggie calzones

Fred Hardy