{"id":182346,"title":"Pasta-Free Eggplant Lasagna with Feta and Pecorino","modified":"2026-10-03T10:52:23+02:00","plain":"Pasta-free eggplant lasagna inspired by pasta alla Norma: roasted eggplant, a creamy feta and egg mixture, herbed tomato sauce and a golden pecorino topping.\n\n\n\nAs it comes out of the oven, garlic and herbs perfume the warm tomato sauce. The pecorino turns golden on top, alongside the tomato slices and basil, while the roasted eggplant softens into meltingly tender layers. This pasta-free lasagna is made in a loaf pan, with a creamy feta and egg mixture, tomato paste, fresh basil and roasted eggplant slices. Serves 2 to 3&nbsp;people: first roast the eggplant at 240&nbsp;\u00b0C for no more than 20&nbsp;minutes, then bake the assembled dish for 30&nbsp;minutes at 220&nbsp;\u00b0C. This recipe is one of my keto main dishes.\n\n\n\nWhat is this pasta-free eggplant lasagna?\n\n\n\nHere, the word lasagna refers to successive layers. Eggplant slices take the place of pasta sheets: evenly sliced, salted and patted dry, they are roasted to release some of their moisture, soften and concentrate their flavor.\n\n\n\nTwo egg-based mixtures hold everything together. The white layer combines mashed feta, two eggs and a spoonful of oil for a soft, slightly grainy texture. The red layer brings together tomato paste, finely diced fresh tomato, pressed garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, a spoonful of oil and an egg, adding body without excess moisture. On top, tomato slices, basil and grated pecorino brown together, and a short rest before slicing helps the layers hold their shape.\n\n\n\nFor a change: Cauliflower risotto with mushrooms.\n\n\n\nAn adaptation inspired by pasta alla Norma\n\n\n\nThis version takes a compact form: the loaf pan keeps the layers close together, makes portioning easy and yields generous slices. The eggplant serves as the base in its own right, first roasted at a high temperature, then layered with feta, herbed tomato sauce and pecorino. The connection to pasta alla Norma lies in the combination of eggplant, tomato, basil and sheep&rsquo;s milk cheese, here a feta-pecorino duo. Replacing the pasta makes the dish lower in carbohydrates without guaranteeing a strictly ketogenic recipe: allow 8&nbsp;g of net carbs per serving when divided into two large portions.\n\n\n\nThe main ingredients\n\n\n\nEggplant replaces the pasta: even slicing, salting, patting dry and roasting reduce moisture and create a tender texture, a technique similar to that used for air fryer eggplant. Tomato slices define the layers, while small pieces enrich the red mixture. Pressed garlic adds warmth to the aroma without overpowering it. The eggs, two in the feta and one in the tomato mixture, bind everything together for neat slices.\n\n\n\nAlso discover: Edamame pasta with chicken and arugula-walnut pesto.\n\n\n\nSalty and milky, feta softens without becoming stringy and gives the white layer a grainy texture; pecorino grated over the tomato layers adds saltiness and flavor and browns beautifully. The 140&nbsp;g of tomato paste add intensity and body, with less water than a tomato coulis. Avocado oil, mild olive oil or high-oleic sunflower oil is used for roasting, greasing and adding richness. Fresh basil brings a bright note, thyme, oregano and rosemary flavor the tomato sauce, and salt is used sparingly because of the two cheeses.\n\n\n\nBaking, serving and storage\n\n\n\nSuccess starts with the eggplant, cut into twelve even slices, salted on both sides, then thoroughly patted dry and roasted at 240&nbsp;\u00b0C on a hot baking sheet until tender and golden, for no more than 20&nbsp;minutes. Remove it sooner if the edges brown quickly. Build four layers of three slices, alternating the feta and egg mixture with basil, then the herbed tomato mixture, tomato slices and pecorino. Bake for a final 30&nbsp;minutes at 220&nbsp;\u00b0C: the top should be browned, but the real test is the center, where the egg mixture must be set. Parchment paper rated for 240&nbsp;\u00b0C and a rest before slicing are helpful.\n\n\n\nAlso try: Mashed sweet potatoes.\n\n\n\nTo serve, a salad of arugula, mixed baby greens or baby spinach with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness, and the reserved basil leaves are added at the last moment. Cool leftovers promptly and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4&nbsp;days; reheat in the oven at 180&nbsp;\u00b0C until piping hot in the center. Microwaving gives the baked dish a softer texture. Chilling firms up the layers and makes neat slicing easier the next day. Look for feta in the brined cheese section, aged pecorino at a cheese shop or Italian grocery, and tomato paste in cans or tubes.\n\n\n\nFor more low-carb ideas, browse all my keto recipes.\n\n\n\n\n\n\tEggplant Lasagna with Feta and Pecorino (Keto)\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t2 eggplants2 tomatoes3 cloves garlic3 eggs150 g feta100 g pecorino140 g tomato paste (equivalent to one large can)2 tablespoons avocado oil, mild olive oil or high-oleic sunflower oil1 generous drizzle avocado oil, mild olive oil or high-oleic sunflower oil0.5 tablespoon salt (Celtic sea salt)1 generous handful basil (fresh)0.5 teaspoon thyme (dried)0.5 teaspoon oregano (dried)0.5 teaspoon rosemary (dried)\t\n\t\n\t\tPreheat the oven to 240 degrees. Cut each of the two eggplants into 6 slices. Try to keep the slices the same thickness.Sprinkle both sides of the slices with salt and let it soak in for a moment. Then pat them dry with paper towels.Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven. Line it with parchment paper and arrange the eggplant slices on it. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes, or less if the edges start to brown sooner.Meanwhile, grate the pecorino.Cut the tomatoes into 6 nice slices that are not too thick. Cut the rest into very small pieces.Press the garlic.In a mixing bowl, combine the tomato paste with the finely chopped tomato. Avoid adding too much juice; use just the pieces.Add the garlic, a tablespoon of olive oil, the oregano, rosemary and thyme (dried or fresh) to the tomato mixture. Whisk in one egg.In the other mixing bowl, combine the feta with two eggs and a tablespoon of olive oil. To do this, first mash the feta, then blend. The mixture does not need to be completely smooth.When the eggplant is ready, remove the baking sheet. Place a rack in the oven. Then reduce the oven temperature to 220 degrees.Very lightly grease the loaf pan with a few drops of olive oil. Place a layer of 3 eggplant slices in the bottom of the loaf pan.Spread half the feta mixture over the top. Add a third of the basil on top. Cover with 3 eggplant slices.Add half the tomato mixture on top. Top with 3 tomato slices and half the pecorino. Cover with 3 eggplant slices.Add the second half of the feta mixture on top, along with a third of the basil. Cover again with 3 eggplant slices.Finish with the second half of the tomato mixture and the remaining pecorino. Arrange the last 3 tomato slices and the remaining basil on top. Reserve a few leaves for garnish.Bake for half an hour.\t\n\t\n\t\tNutritional values calculated for 2 large servings, counting 0 grams of carbohydrates for both cheeses.\nEquipment: oven at 220 degrees, baking sheet, PFAS-free parchment paper, loaf pan, (hand) mixer, (box) grater, garlic press, mixing bowls, paper towels.\n\t\n\t\n\t\tPlat principalItalienne","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/178909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}