This Greek vegetarian stuffed aubergine/eggplant (yemista) recipe is so easy to make and packed with amazing flavours. Rich and creamy with the added texture to the filling these stuffed aubergines make the perfect vegetarian meal in themselves. But you can serve them as a side dish too.

Greek vegetarian stuffed aubergine/eggplant

Comfort food comes in many guises, from soup to bakes, crisps to curry, it’s whatever makes you feel all warm and cosy inside and ticks those boxes of feel-good food.

This stuffed aubergine recipe means comfort food to me. It is hearty and filling and packed with flavour. Oh, and it’s Greek too which makes it even better in my book.

Yemista/Gemista

This is the term for stuffed vegetables in Greece. In fact, they have their own section on the Greek menu as they are such an important part of the Greek cuisine.

From stuffed tomatoes to vine leaves. Stuffed peppers to zucchini and even zucchini flowers.

Vegetables in Greece are stuffed with everything from meat to rice, herbs to cheese.

Ingredients for vegetarian stuffed aubergine

Filled with healthy Mediterranean veggies, mixed seeds, chilli and rice, this recipe for stuffed aubergine makes a full meal in itself and is completely vegetarian too.

These baked aubergines are great for those avoiding meat completely, or if you are like me and just like to have a few meals per week that are veggie only.

This is one of those recipes that is great for using up bits and pieces in the fridge, like that little bit of cooked rice or quinoa you had for supper last night, and those ends of veggies in the salad drawer.

I like to add the kick of chilli to my stuffed aubergine dish. Just this touch of heat elevates the dish from an everyday veggie plate. Add in the creaminess of the feta and this stuffed baked aubergine recipe is total heaven on a plate.

Ingredients alternatives

Get creative with your stuffing ideas for this baked eggplant dish. Just use whatever you happen to have lurking in the fridge.

While I have used a few sultanas, you could use dried apricots, raisins, whatever you fancy. The dried fruit give a different texture and lots of added flavour to your stuffed eggplant recipe.

In a traditional Greek Moussaka recipe, layers of juicy lamb or beef mince are cooked in a tomato sauce, layered with aubergine slices (eggplants) and creamy béchamel sauce and baked all together until golden and sheer perfection.

The complete list of ingredients and full instructions for making this recipe can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to make stuffed eggplant

I bake my aubergine first for thirty minutes so that the flesh is already cooked and tender when I mix it in with the other vegetables and then finish it all under the grill.

This gives a lovely blend of textures, the soft creaminess of the well-cooked aubergine/eggplant and the crispness of the courgettes, red peppers and onions that are only cooked under the grill.

How many will this stuffed aubergine serve

This stuffed aubergine/eggplant recipe will serve two people with a green salad on the side. Just double up the recipe to serve more people.

Storage

Your vegetarian stuffed aubergine will keep in the fridge for a couple of days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure to defrost the stuffed eggplant completely before reheating till piping hot.

We need comfort food at this time of year and what better than Mediterranean flavours to add a bit of warmth to our cold winter months. What’s your favourite comfort food?

Looking for more stuffed vegetable ideas? Then check these out before you go;

Super easy vegetarian stuffed peppers/yemista

Vegetarian curry stuffed peppers

Paella style stuffed peppers with feta

Greek stuffed tomatoes with prawns

Greek lamb stuffed cabbage leaves

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.

Greek Vegetarian Stuffed Aubergine/Eggplant (Yemista)