Looking for tasty lunch ideas? This eggplant panini with balsamic and sun-dried tomatoes makes for a perfectly healthy lunch that is also easy to prepare.
Don't have panini maker? No worries, you don’t need to spend $8 to $12 at a sandwich or even buy a panini maker as you can whip this up in a skillet grill pan or on a grill or skillet.
I simply pressed the top of the sandwich with the bottom part of another clean pan and the bread was crispy in a flash.
I used a good quality multigrain sandwich bread to get some extra fiber. The healthier breads often have the best flavor, often adding sweetness or in this case nutty flavors.
This eggplant panini contains provolone cheese, spinach, grilled eggplant (see recipe below), and cooked sun-dried tomatoes in balsamic vinegar.
Eggplant and sun-dried tomatoes have flavors that compliment one another quite well in pasta dishes and sandwiches.
Vegetarians will surely like this lunch but don’t hold back from making it for meat eaters as well. The eggplant can hold its own for flavor and consistency in place of a protein, much like it does in eggplant parmesan.
Hope you'll enjoy this easy lunch sandwich recipe of eggplant panini balsamic sun-dried tomatoes. My husband went crazy for it and my kids actually ate it up too. If you’re having guests over to watch some sports it’s quick to whip up ten or more of these sandwiches without that much extra effort, just be careful on your portions of salt, garlic and pepper.
📖 Recipe
Eggplant panini with Balsamic Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant , (cut into sandwich sized pieces)
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 oz sun dried tomatoes without oil or juice
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ cup white wine , (optional)
- 4 cheese , (optional)
- 8 sandwich bread
- spinach
Instructions
- Combine the butter, garlic, salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper into a bowl and stir well. Brush eggplant with butter mixture and place on a grill. Cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes on each side or until tender. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook garlic until fragrant. Add sun dried tomatoes, then cook for about 50 seconds. Add balsamic vinegar and white wine and keep cooking until the juice evaporates for about 1-2 minute. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Pre heat the grill pan over medium heat. Slightly butter each side of sandwich loaf. Top each slice with provolone, spinach, grilled eggplant, balsamic sun-dried tomatoes and top with another slice of sandwich loaf, butter side up. Place a heavy skillet over the panini and press down, cooking for about 2 minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
Alli Smith says
Eggplant and sun dried tomatoes are favorites of mine and I know I'd love this sandwich. I always like to switch up lunch and get some fresh ideas and this is one I know I'd enjoy. Looks so yummy!
Robin Rue says
That panini sounds amazing. What an awesome option for a delicious summer lunch. I can't wait to try it.
Christy Maurer says
That looks delicious! I love sun dried tomatoes. I'll have to make one of these soon.
Katie Kinsley says
I keep trying different recipes that roast eggplants, but they end up not being that tasty. I bet the sundried tomatoes really punch up the flavor.
Jacqui S says
This looks really good! I'd probably take the tomatoes out of the list since I don't like them, but everything else? Great!
Doria says
This sounds super delicious! I absolutely love eggplant, I'm going to have to make one of these this week 😉
Anosa says
I have some eggplants in my fridge that I had no clue what to do with and now I can try this recipe just need some sun-dried tomatoes
kage2015 says
I have never tried using eggplant to make a sandwich with. Something new for me to give a try. I like the idea of eating lighter.
Heather says
This looks so good! This looks like restaurant style sandwiches that I'd find at an and coming deli. I love it!
Jennifer says
This sounds really good. I love eggplant, but haven't had a recipe to cook with it in years.