Traditional Eggplant Parmesan Delight
This beloved Italian dish features tender eggplant slices, perfectly breaded and layered with marinara sauce and melted cheeses. Choose between baking or frying for different flavor profiles and enjoy a vegetarian take on the classic parmigiana.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
Full Ingredient List
- 2 medium to large eggplants
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 bread slices or 1 1/2 cups of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1-2 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
Eggplant Preparation
Tools and Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Three bowls
- Skillet
- Oven
- Baking tray
- Paper towels
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 2 |
medium to large eggplants |
Slice into 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices |
|
| 1/2 cup |
all-purpose flour |
|
gluten-free flour blend |
| 3 large |
eggs |
whisked |
4 smaller eggs |
| 1/4 cup |
olive oil |
for frying method |
grapeseed oil |
| pinch |
coarse salt |
for sweating eggplant |
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Slice eggplant into 1/4-1/2 inch thick pieces.
-
Step 2:
Sprinkle eggplant with a pinch of salt on both sides and let sit for 10 minutes to sweat out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels. (Tips: This helps prevent sogginess.)
Breading and Cooking
Tools and Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Three bowls
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 6 bread slices or 1 1/2 cups |
bread slices or breadcrumbs |
Toast and process if using bread. |
|
| 1/2 cup |
parmesan cheese, shredded |
Mix into breadcrumbs |
|
| 2 teaspoons |
Italian herb blend |
|
|
| 1 teaspoon |
garlic powder |
|
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Toast bread slices and process into crumbs. Mix with parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. (Tips: Store unused crumbs in an airtight container.)
-
Step 2:
Coat eggplant slices in flour, dip in eggs, then cover with breadcrumb mixture. (Tips: Shake off excess crumbs after coating.)
-
Step 3:
Choose frying or baking method: if frying, use 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil on each side until golden. If baking, preheat oven to 350°F and bake on an oiled sheet for 25-30 minutes. (Tips: Always preheat the skillet or oven for even cooking.)
Assembly and Baking
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 1 1/2 cups |
marinara sauce |
More may be used if desired |
|
| 1 lb |
mozzarella cheese |
Sliced |
|
| 1/3 cup |
parmesan cheese, shredded |
|
|
| 1-2 Tablespoons |
fresh basil, chopped |
|
|
| 1 teaspoon |
fresh oregano, chopped |
|
|
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a large casserole dish. (Tips: Ensure the entire bottom is covered to prevent sticking.)
-
Step 2:
Layer fried or baked eggplant, mozzarella slices, a spoonful of sauce, and shredded parmesan. Repeat layering once more. (Tips: Be sure to fully cover the eggplant with cheese.)
-
Step 3:
Bake uncovered at 400°F for 30 minutes. Top with fresh basil and oregano before serving. (Tips: Let cool slightly before serving to help set layers.)
Additional Information
Notes: For a lighter dish, consider baking the eggplant instead of frying. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
