Baked Eggplant Tikka Masala
A cozy, flavorful meal featuring tender roasted eggplant in a rich and aromatic tikka masala sauce.
recipesbynani.comThere is something so comforting about a big bowl of warm tikka masala. By roasting the eggplant first, you get a lovely texture that soaks up all those delicious spices and creamy sauce perfectly.
This recipe is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a hearty vegetarian meal at home. If you want to keep it strictly vegan, just make sure to use a plant based yogurt for the marinade and sauce.
🧺 Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
Toss the eggplant cubes with two tablespoons of oil and a pinch of salt on a large baking sheet.
- 3
Roast the eggplant for about 20 minutes until it is soft and starting to turn golden brown.
- 4
While the eggplant roasts, heat the remaining oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- 5
Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the pan and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- 6
Stir in the spices and cook for one minute until they are fragrant.
- 7
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
- 8
Stir in the yogurt or coconut milk and remove from the heat.
- 9
Place the roasted eggplant into a baking dish and pour the sauce over the top.
- 10
Bake for another 15 minutes until the dish is bubbling and well combined.
- 11
Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving warm.
💡 Tips
Serve this dish over fluffy basmati rice or with warm naan bread to soak up the extra sauce. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, and it often tastes even better the next day.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
You might also like
Quick Za'atar Beef and Greens Skillet
This flavorful skillet meal combines savory ground beef with aromatic za'atar and fresh greens for an easy dinner.
Creamy White Bolognese Pasta
A rich and comforting white meat sauce that feels fancy but is easy to make at home.
Classic American Chop Suey
This is a cozy, hearty comfort food classic that tastes even better as leftovers the next day.
Classic New Orleans Shrimp Po' Boys
These famous crispy fried shrimp sandwiches are stuffed with fresh toppings and a tangy remoulade sauce.