Provençal Eggplant Tomato Gratin

It’s eggplant season and that means this Provencal Eggplant Tomato Gratin is on repeat in my kitchen. This typical southern French recipe includes tender slices of eggplants layered with chunky tomato sauce, plenty of cheese and spiked with Herbs de Provence. This is a fuss-free recipe that makes a great side or a perfect vegetarian dinner.

This is probably one of my favorite recipes to make do with the abundance of tomatoes and eggplants in the summer. This veggie-focused dish is pretty healthy and low carb, yet it’s nothing short of satisfying!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that despite my Breton roots, I have a deep love for Provence, its culture and its cuisine.

Provençale cuisine truly knows how to showcase summer produce, and turn them into colorful and sustaining meals – and this recipe is one of my favorites from the local repertoire.

What is Provencal Eggplant Tomato Gratin?

A Provencal Eggplant Gratin features thick slices of eggplant layered in a casserole dish with a tomato sauce, cheese and herbs and baked to bubbly perfection. This is a popular recipe hailing from the sun-kissed region of Provence, in Southern France.

I know this recipe is similar to the Italian Eggplant Parmigiana (or Eggplant Parmesan), but the main difference is that the eggplant slices aren’t breaded and fried beforehand. Here they are just quickly pan fried, unbreaded, to soften them before being layered in between tomato sauce and cheese. The eggplant actually finishes cooking while the gratin bakes. This makes for a lighter dish than Eggplant Parmigiana, that’s quicker to make too!

Another key component of this dish is the Herbs de Provence. This mix of dried herbs yields a signature Provençal taste to this gratin.

Ingredients you’ll need for this Provençal Eggplant Tomato Gratin

1. Eggplants. You need two large eggplants, sliced widthwise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. When sourcing for eggplants, look for ones that are slightly firm, with a smooth skin and that feel heavy for their size. The stem is also a good indicator: it should be green. Sadly, a lot of eggplants I see in grocery stores have stems that are brownish or dried out. 
2. Salt. A key step of this recipe is to generously salt the eggplant rounds and let them “sweat” for at least 45 minutes, spread evenly over paper towels. You then use a cloth or paper towel to soak all the excess moisture released from the eggplant rounds. DO NOT skip this part or the eggplant will release too much moisture when baking, and the gratin will be quite watery at the bottom.
3. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. After the eggplant rounds have sweat, they get quickly pan fried with olive oil. Eggplant absorbs lots of olive oil, so don’t be afraid to have a heavy hand.
4. Garlic and onion. A great base for the tomato sauce.
5. Diced tomatoes. The sauce is made with diced tomatoes. You can use either canned tomatoes or fresh. If using fresh, make sure they are ripe and juicy, so they’ll soften nicely when cooking. Prefer a variety with a meaty flesh such as San Marzano or Roma.
6. Fresh Basil. A few fresh basil leaves adds a bright herby flavor to the tomato sauce.
7. Herbs de Provence. They add the signature Provençal flavor to this dish! It consists of a blend of dried herbs: savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme and oregano. You can find Herbs De Provence online, in spice shops, bulk stores, and often in grocery stores in the spice aisle.
8. Grated Parmesan cheese and grated Mozzarella cheese. A mix of Parmesan and mozzarella cheese is sprinkled in between layers. The parmesan adds great taste and a salty kick, and the Mozzarella creates delicious melty strings.  
9. Breadcrumbs. Although optional, I like to add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs to get an extra crisp gratin top. I prefer homemade breadcrumbs (grated stale bread) but store-bought works too. 

Frequently asked questions

Can I use bottled tomato sauce, in lieu of canned or fresh tomatoes?

I personally prefer making a quick homemade sauce with canned or fresh tomatoes, to ensure I keep a chunky texture. With homemade sauce, I also know exactly the amount of salt or other seasonings that go into the sauce. That said, if you don’t have time for homemade, opting for a store-bought tomato sauce is fine too. Make sure you cook it on the stove top for a few minutes to thicken it a bit.

Do I have to peel the eggplants?

No. There is no need to peel the eggplants if you wash them under cold water before. The skin actually holds lots of nutrition and yields a “meatier” texture to the cooked eggplant. But if you really must peel the eggplants (they are difficult to digest for some), you can do it!

The eggplants turned out “chewy”, what happened?

Chewy eggplants mean they are undercooked. To avoid this, make sure you cut the eggplants into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, no thicker. If they are thicker, they will take a longer time to be fully cooked through.

The gratin ended up “watery”, what happened?

This is likely because the eggplants released excess water when they cooked. To avoid this, make sure you let them sweat out with salt for at least 45 minutes before you start the recipe. They will release lots of moisture that way, which won’t be released later when they bake in the gratin.

How to store leftovers?

To store leftovers, let the gratin cool completely to room temperature and transfer into an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F/180°C for about 20 minutes.

Audrey’s cooking notes:

• This is a simple recipe, but it does require a bit of active time – especially the initial pan frying of the eggplant slices. This recipe may be best suited for weekends, rather than busy weeknights. Although the good news is that I think it tastes even better when made ahead and re-heated the next day, like a lot of gratins and saucy dishes do.

I hope you’ll love this Provençal Eggplant Tomato Gratin recipe as much as I do. If you have any questions, please leave a comment. 

More Provence recipes to try: 

• Eggplant Caviar Dip (Caviar d’Aubergine)
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip (Poivronade)
• Black Olive Tapenade
• Layered Vegetable Tian
• Cod Provençal with tomatoes, olives and capers
• Stuffed Tomatoes (Tomates Farcies)
• Chicken Provençal with cherry tomatoes and olives
• French Pistou Sauce
• Provençal Chickpea Salad

Provençal Eggplant Tomato Gratin

Print Recipe

Serves: 8 people Prep Time: 1 Hour Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 4.6/5

( 16 voted )

Ingredients

2lbs (900g) eggplants (about 2 medium), sliced widthwise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, end slices discarded
3 tsp salt
½ cup (125ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 (28 fl.oz/796ml) can diced tomatoes
2-3 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tbsp Herbs de Provence (+ extra for topping)
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp salt
1 garlic clove, peeled (for the dish)
¼ cup (25g) grated parmesan cheese
½ - ¾ cup (60g – 90gr) grated mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp bread crumbs

Instructions

Step 1 - Spread eggplant slices in one layer on a board covered with a cloth or paper towels. Sprinkle with salt (on both sides) and set aside for 45min to 1 hour to allow the eggplant to “sweat” excess moisture and lose their bitterness. Pat eggplant dry on both sides with paper towel or a cloth.

Step 2 – Heat up about 1 tbsp (15ml) of extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 3 to 4 eggplant slices and pan fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until the eggplant is softened. Add more oil to the pan and repeat with all eggplant rounds. Eggplant absorbs a lot of oil, so don’t be afraid to be generous when oiling the pan.

Pre-heat your oven to 350°F/180°C with a rack in the middle.

Step 3 - In a medium sized sauce pan, over medium heat, heat up 1 tablespoon (15ml) of EVOO and cook onion and garlic for 5 minutes or until lightly caramelized. Add fresh basil, diced tomatoes, herbs de Provence, basil, black pepper, salt and cook for about 20 minutes at a low simmer, until 1/4 of the liquid has dissolved and it looks much thicker.

Step 4 - Rub a gratin dish or skillet with a crushed garlic clove. Drizzle 1 tbsp of EVOO and rub to coat evenly. To assemble, arrange a layer of eggplant slices in overlapping rows at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cover with a third of the tomato sauce and a third of the Parmesan and a third of the mozzarella. Repeat this process twice, finishing with the last third of tomato sauce and cheese. Top with breadcrumbs, an extra sprinkle of Herbs de Provence and salt and pepper to taste.

Bake for 40 minutes. Finish with 2 minutes under the broiler to brown the top. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Note: This recipe was first published in August 2020. I updated it in July 2024, with new step-by-step photos and photos of the finished dish. I also improved the recipe instructions, and added an extra ½ – ¾ cup (60g – 90gr) of grated mozzarella cheese, which helps hold the gratin together and make it ever more delicious and satisfying.