Not only is this eggplant parmesan incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious, but the eggplant is baked instead of fried making it just a little bit healthier, too!
(This recipe for Eggplant Parmesan was originally published in January 2010, but was updated with new photos in 2019).
The other day I had a huge craving for Italian food. And eggplant parmesan sounded perfect. I mean, doesn't eggplant parmesan always sound perfect? I almost always order it when I see it on a restaurant menu and don't make it at home nearly enough. Probably because, sadly, Chris doesn't love it... But since I'm usually the one cooking, I decided to make what I like and I really, really like eggplant parmesan. Muhaha.
I'm considering this recipe a huge success in large part because Chris ate it and said he really enjoyed it. But also because I absolutely loved it and ate about a million servings and wanted to make it again ASAP. The recipe makes a big batch, but it also freezes really well, which means eggplant parmesan can be yours any time you want.
Contrary to popular belief, eggplant parm doesn't have to be super complicated and time-consuming to make. This one is actually pretty quick and simple! It also doesn't have to be terribly unhealthy. The special thing about this eggplant parmesan is that the eggplant is baked instead of fried. But you would never know! It honestly tastes just like it's been fried. I love when that happens.
EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE
One of the biggest issues people have with making eggplant parmesan is that it can be soggy. That's because eggplant has a lot of moisture in it and can soak up too much olive oil when cooking. Which is why it's important to drain the eggplant a bit before breading it. All you have to do is cut the eggplants into ¼" thick rounds and sprinkle a little salt on both side of them.
Place the rounds on a metal rack with paper towels underneath and let sit for about two hours. Pat eggplant rounds with a paper towel to get any excess moisture.
The tomato sauce is the next step. Lots of people think making a homemade tomato sauce is super difficult, but this one requires putting a few ingredients in a food processor and blending away. Ridiculously easy! Make the simple tomato sauce by combining tomatoes, garlic, and â…“ cup olive oil in a food processor (or blender if you don't have one). Season it with salt and pepper and set aside.
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and lightly brush a baking sheet with oil.
Next, put your flour, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese in one large shallow bowl. In another, lightly beat the eggs.
Dredge a slice of eggplant in the flour mixture and then in the egg mixture. Lay on prepared baking sheet and drizzle each slice with a little bit of olive oil.
Bake eggplant for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown, flipping each eggplant slice after about 10 minutes. omg it was difficult not to just dig in and eat this eggplant as is.
Once you remove the eggplant from the oven (and try really hard not to eat it), lower the heat to 350 degrees.
Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the dish. Then layer ⅓ of the eggplant slices and top with half the mozzarella. Sprinkle with ⅓ of the parmesan. Sprinkle with ½ the basil, too... You'll probably notice I sadly forgot to add my basil, but you most definitely should.
Then make a second layer of eggplant and top 1 cup of tomato sauce and the rest of the mozzarella. Then add on ½ of the remaining parmesan and the rest of the basil.
Finally, add the rest of the eggplant, the rest of the sauce, and the rest of the parmesan. This is fun, huh?
Pop it in the oven and bake (at 350 degrees) for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
You're supposed to let it rest for about 10 minutes before digging into it. And you probably should because it's going to be really, really, really hot. Um yeah, I know from experience. It's sooo hard to wait though. And it smells soooo good.
And doesn't the melted cheese look so amazing?
It tasted amazing too. This dish is seriously the perfect combination of eggplant, cheese, and tomato sauce. And it wasn't until I was done with my super-huge serving that I remembered I was also planning on making some whole wheat pasta to eat along with the eggplant parmesan but then totally forgot.
But it really wasn't missed at all as the eggplant was filling enough. Or maybe that was because I had 3 servings of it. Whatever.
I should also note that this eggplant parmesan goes really, really well with a nice glass of cold white wine.
This is one of those easy dinners that doesn't look easy and would be so perfect for serving to company. In that case, I'd make the pasta and a salad and maybe even some garlic bread, too. And a couple bottles of white wine, obviously.
Eggplant parmesan is my kind of comfort food and one that Chris is most definitely going to have to get used to eating over and over and over again.
What's your go-to order at Italian restaurants?
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Gorgonzola Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Gravy or my Steak and Cheese Fried Rice. I also really want to try this Eggplant Lasagna from Well Plated!
📖 Recipe
Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. eggplant (about 2 large), sliced into ¼" thick rounds
- Kosher salt
- 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- â…“ cup olive oil, plus more for pans and eggplant
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole wheat breadcrumbs (I used seasoned, but if yours are plain, add ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and ¼ tsp garlic powder)
- 1 ½ cups grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 5 large eggs, beaten
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella, sliced into ¼" rounds
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of eggplant rounds with salt and place eggplant on a metal rack with paper towels underneath. Let sit for about two hours. Pat eggplant rounds with a paper towel to get any excess moisture.
- Combine tomatoes, garlic, ⅓ cup olive oil, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper in a food processor (or blender). Puree until smooth.
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and lightly brush a baking sheet with oil.
- Mix together flour, bread crumbs, and ½ cup parmesan cheese in a large shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs.
- Dredge each slice of eggplant in the flour mixture and then in the egg mixture and back in the flour mixture for a second time. Lay on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle each slice with a little bit of olive oil and bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown, flipping each eggplant slice after about 10 minutes. Once you remove the eggplant from the oven, lower the oven heat to 350 degrees.
- Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13" dish. Layer ⅓ of the eggplant slices and top with half the mozzarella. Sprinkle with ⅓ of the remaining parmesan and ½ the basil.
- Top with ½ of the remaining eggplant, 1 cup of tomato sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella. Then add on ½ of the remaining parmesan and the rest of the basil.
- Finally, add the rest of the eggplant, the rest of the sauce, and the rest of the parmesan.
- Bake (at 350 degrees) for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes before topping with more basil and serving.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes.
kathy says
looks great! one trick an italian friend taught me is to peal the eggplant... yes takes away some of the nutrients, but takes away the bitterness if using a large eggplant.
Nicole says
Hey Susie!! This looks great. I always peel my eggplant, next time I will have to leave the skin on to see how it taste!!! Great job, your pictures come out so nice, nice camera 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Yum that looks SO good!!!!! Some things are just worth the calories ya know..
Nicci says
I love a cheesy egglplant parm!!
anne marie says
you're final images of the complete dish are awesome. i find that it can be challenging to get good pictures of some foods, such as scalloped potatoes and apple crisp specifically...and it always turns out looking like slush! your eggplant looks awesome. i can't wait to try it!
Susan says
That looks amazing! And I love my new garlic zoom too thanks to you guys 🙂
Alicia says
Well, now I'm craving some eggplant parm!! Looks so delicious!! I used the Chef'n garlic zoom yesterday. That thing is amazing - and sooo easy to use. Thanks so much for including it in the bags!
Kerstin says
Definitely amazing! I love layering eggplant like that too!
The Healthy Hostess says
Great recipe! I need to try this one!
🙂 Thanks!!
Nina says
My friend Susan was here this weekend and we made turkey meatballs last night using the garlic roller from your wearenotmartha bags! It was fun to use and worked so well! A little tricky to get all the pieces out, but a neat little gadget 🙂 Eggplant parm looks delicious!
Nicole (dishin') says
That does look delicious! Eggplan parm is one of my favorite dishes ever!
Shannon says
that looks fabulous, and now i'm totally craving some eggplant 🙂
Jackie says
MmMmM that looks amazing!
two coast table says
hey susie! this looks delicious & your photographs are looking amazing. i can't wait to use my garlic zoom.
(steven)
Sharon says
Susie...This looks like the perfect Eggplant Parm recipe! And your photos are absolutely amazing...I am salivating just looking at them and want, want, want this for dinner very soon...are you available to cook for us?? I'll have all the ingredients here when you arrive...just say the word!!
marie Sendejo says
i made this last night and it WAS delish. I absolutely love all the recipes on your site. The photos really help with the process as well. I will definitely be making this again.
Rachel says
Just bought all the ingredients today based on your recipe. I'm sooo excited to eat this!
Chona says
i just made this for dinner tonight. it was absolutely amazing! i used panko instead of breadcrumbs and didn't peel the eggplant. very good. lots of flavor. i can't wait to make this again!