Crispy Baked Eggplant Pizzette with Melted Cheese

2 servingsmediumItalian-inspired

Individual eggplant rounds transform into pizzette when layered with tomatoes, fresh herbs, and melted Swiss cheese, then baked until golden. Quick-cooking appetizer or light meal that combines roasted eggplant with classic pizza flavors. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

2 servings
  • 1 large round eggplant, washed and sliced into rounds
  • 10 tbs chopped tomatoes
    tomato paste1tbs paste per 2tbs tomatoescondiment

    more concentrated

  • 1 cups Swiss cheese, coarsely grated
    mozzarella1:1dairycheese

    melts similarly

    Full guide →
  • basil, fresh or dried leaves
  • oregano, fresh or dried leaves
  • olive oil, for greasing pan
    vegetable oil1:1oil

    neutral flavor

    Full guide →

Instructions

  1. 1

    Wash and slice eggplant into rounds.

  2. 2

    Grease a non-stick pan with olive oil and arrange eggplant rounds inside.

  3. 3

    Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Remove pan from oven, leaving eggplant inside.

  5. 5

    Top each round with a spoonful of chopped tomatoes and sprinkle with oregano and basil.

  6. 6

    Cover with grated Swiss cheese.

  7. 7

    Bake at 450°F for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.

  8. 8

    Serve warm or cooled.

Tips

Tip 1

Eggplant rounds can be salted and left to rest before baking to reduce moisture and improve texture.

Tip 2

Watch cheese closely in final minutes to prevent burning.

Good to Know

Storage

Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently in oven.

Make Ahead

Slice eggplant and prepare tomato topping up to 4 hours ahead. Assemble and bake just before serving for best cheese quality.

Serve With

Serve as appetizer on small plates or as light main course. Pairs well with fresh salad and crusty bread.

Common Mistakes

Watch

Use non-stick pan or grease generously to prevent sticking and breaking eggplant rounds.

Watch

Do not skip initial 10-minute bake; undercooked eggplant will be tough and watery.

Watch

Watch final 5 minutes closely to avoid burnt cheese while ensuring it melts fully.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free Swaps

Swiss cheese
mozzarella1:1dairycheese

melts similarly

Full guide →
Swiss cheese
provolone1:1dairycheesedairy-free

sharper flavor

Full guide →

General Alternatives

tomatoes
tomato paste1tbs paste per 2tbs tomatoescondiment

more concentrated

Full guide →
olive oil
vegetable oil1:1oil

neutral flavor

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →