Berenjenas Rellenas de Atún: Spanish Stuffed Eggplant 2026

Berenjenas rellenas de atún is a comforting Spanish main course that turns humble eggplants into something special. The eggplants are roasted until tender, then their flesh is scooped out and folded into a rich sofrito of garlic, onion, tomato and canned tuna. A generous layer of grated cheese goes on top and everything is gratinated until golden and bubbling.

What makes this dish so appealing is how simple it is. The tuna filling comes together in about 15 minutes, so most of the work is hands-off oven time. It is a practical weeknight dinner that still feels satisfying and complete, especially with a little bread to mop up the juices.

When you buy the eggplants, look for ones with tight, glossy skin that feel firm to the touch. That freshness carries the whole plate, since the eggplant shells act as the vessel for all that savory tuna and tomato flavor.

Ingredients for Berenjenas Rellenas de Atún

This recipe makes 2 servings as a main course.

• 2 medium eggplants
• 35 g olive oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 150 g onion
• 200 g crushed tomato
• 220 g canned tuna
• 125 g grated cheese for gratinating

How to Make Berenjenas Rellenas de Atún Step by Step

1. Score the eggplants

Wash and dry the 2 medium eggplants very well and cut each one lengthwise. First make a cut all around the inner border of the eggplant, then make diagonal cuts in both directions without cutting through the skin. Be careful with these cuts so the skins stay intact and can be filled easily later.

2. Arrange the eggplants in a baking dish

Pour 5 g of olive oil into the base of a baking dish and place the eggplants on top. Season them with salt and ground black pepper, then drizzle the remaining 10 g of olive oil over the eggplants.

3. Roast the eggplants

With the oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) with heat from top and bottom, put the dish in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check with a skewer whether the eggplants are well roasted; if the skewer goes in and out easily, they are ready. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.

4. Scoop out the flesh

When the eggplants are somewhat warm, scoop out the flesh with the help of a spoon, being careful not to break the skin.

5. Chop the eggplant, garlic and onion

Once all the eggplants have been hollowed out, chop the flesh and set it aside. Also chop 1 garlic clove and 150 g of onion.

6. Make the tomato sofrito

Put a saucepan over medium heat with 20 g of olive oil, and when the oil is hot add the garlic and sauté it for a few moments. Then add the onion and a pinch of salt and let it cook for 5 minutes. Next add 200 g of crushed tomato, another pinch of salt and ground black pepper, mix and cook for about 8 minutes.

7. Add the eggplant flesh

Next add the eggplant flesh, mix it well with the sofrito and cook for 2 minutes.

8. Add the canned tuna

Now add 220 g of canned tuna, spread it through the sofrito and mix well.

9. Let the filling cool

Cook the mixture for a final 2 minutes and let the sofrito lose a little temperature so you can fill the eggplants comfortably.

10. Fill the eggplants

Place the hollowed eggplants in the baking dish and fill them with the sofrito using a spoon. As you fill them, press down gently with the spoon so the filling sits compactly inside the eggplant.

11. Top with grated cheese

Spread 125 g of grated cheese for gratinating over the top of the eggplants.

12. Gratinate until golden

Put the dish in the oven with the gratinator function on at 200°C (400°F) and gratin for about 10 minutes, or until you see the cheese is nicely golden.

13. Serve

And your berenjenas rellenas de atún are ready to serve.

Tips for the Best Berenjenas Rellenas de Atún

Choose firm, glossy eggplants

Pick eggplants with tight, shiny skin that feel firm when you press them. Fresh eggplants roast more evenly and hold their shape better, which makes them easier to hollow out and fill without tearing the shells.

Protect the skins when scoring

When you make the cuts in the flesh, work carefully and stop before the knife reaches the skin. Intact skins keep the eggplants sturdy enough to act as little boats for the tuna filling later on.

Let the filling cool before stuffing

Give the sofrito a couple of minutes off the heat so it loses some temperature before you fill the eggplants. This makes the filling easier to handle and keeps the shells neat as you press the mixture in with a spoon.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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