Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 2 to 3 small-ish eggplant (about 2 to 3 pounds)
  • grapeseed oil
  • kosher salt
  • 10 to 12 ounces greens, such as Swiss chard, kale, or mustard greens, leaves removed from stems and finely chopped (you should have about 8 oz. greens post trimming)
  • 1 quart tomato sauce, such as this one or this one
  • 1 box no-boil noodles (about 9 oz, you’ll need 12 sheets, see notes above)
  • 4 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano, grated (about 1 cup)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella (not stored in brine), pulled into small pieces or low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella, grated

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 450° F (convection roast if possible). Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Spread into single layers on two baking sheets. Drizzle 3 to 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil over top. Toss to coat. Spread back into a single layer and season generously with kosher salt. Roast the eggplant for 20 minutes or so, rotating the pans halfway—the eggplant is done when the undersides are golden brown and release easily from the pan with a metal spatula. This may take longer than 20 minutes and may require more than one rotation of the pans. Be sure to check the eggplant slices periodically—for instance, the slices on the perimeter of my sheetpan always brown/finish cooking first. Transfer eggplant to a plate. Turn the heat down to 350° F.
  • Meanwhile, place a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil. When the oil shimmers, add the greens, and sauté turning the greens with tongs to help them cook evenly. Season with a good pinch of salt. When the greens have shrunk way down, they’re done—this will happen in 1 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and transfer the greens to a plate to cool.
  • Set up an assembly line with your tomato sauce, no-boil noodles, plate of eggplant and greens, grated parmesan, pulled-apart mozzarella. Spread a 1/2 cup of tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Top with 3 no-boil noodles. Spread another 1/2 cup of sauce over top. Layer eggplant in a single layer over top. Spread a thin layer of greens over top. Spread about 1/4 cup of parmesan over top, then 1/4 cup mozzarella. Repeat this layering until you have four layers of noodles, then top the final layer of noodles with another 1/2 cup tomato sauce (or more) and the remaining cheese. (The idea is to always have about 1/2 cup tomato sauce on either side of the noodles, but you can’t go wrong here.)
  • Cover pan with foil and refrigerate until ready to bake or transfer to oven and bake 40 minutes covered. Remove foil, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes if desired to lightly brown the top. If you like a darker, more caramelized top, increase the oven temperature to 400ºF for the last 5-10 minutes. 
  • Let stand 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
  • To Reheat: Transfer slices (or the entire leftover pan … whatever amount you wish) to a small sheet pan, cover with foil, and heat for 15 minutes at 350 F. Uncover and cook for 5 minutes more.