Let me be clear: this recipe is not a replacement of your regular pizza delivery. BUT it does give you a quick, inexpensive and healthy alternative on nights you don’t want to order the real thing. One of my girlfriends introduced me to the magic of roasting eggplant for an easy meal on nights you don’t feel like cooking. I tried it and loved it because it is totally hands off besides cutting up the eggplant. But I wanted to jazz it up so I could get the hubs excited about it too…enter the eggplant pizza. This is so crazy simple and honestly delivers all the yummy pizza flavors we all love (I mean, who doesn’t love pizza?!) on a healthier “pie”. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Eggplant Pizza, serves 2 hungry people

2 eggplants
high smoking point oil such as avocado, brown rice or vegetable oil
salt & pepper
jar of your favorite marinara sauce
grated mozzarella cheese
pizza toppings, my faves are thinly sliced chicken sausage, red pepper flakes and fresh basil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While oven is heating slice eggplant into thick slices and arrange on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush or spray eggplant with a high smoking point oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, flip to repeat oil and seasoning on opposite side. Bake eggplant for 20-30 minutes on each side or until it starts to brown (the bottom side against the sheet will brown first so make sure to check underneath). While eggplant bakes grate your cheese.

Remove from oven and reset temp to a low broil. Spoon a small amount of sauce (straight from the jar, no need to mess up a dish) onto each piece, sprinkle with cheese and add toppings (hold fresh herbs until very end). Place the baking sheet right under the broiler and watch closely as the cheese starts to bubble and turn golden. Remove once cheese is melted to your preference.