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Eggplant Parmesan Dinner Recipe

Jennifer Watson
I'm so excited to share my favorite Eggplant Parmesan recipe with you! 🍆 This dish is a delightful mix of crispy eggplant, rich marinara, and gooey mozzarella cheese that's perfect for a cozy dinner.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 Pieces
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • To make this dish, I need some basic equipment:
  • Oven: For baking the eggplant to perfection.
  • Large Baking Dish: To layer and bake all the ingredients.
  • Frying Pan: For frying the eggplant slices.
  • Mixing Bowls: For breading the eggplant.
  • Cutting Board and Knife: To slice the eggplant.
  • Tongs: Handy for flipping the eggplant while frying.
  • Paper Towels: To drain excess oil from the fried eggplant.

Ingredients
  

Here’s a list of what I use to make this tasty dish:

  • 2 medium eggplants: Sliced into 1/4-inch rounds.
  • Salt: For sprinkling on eggplant slices to remove bitterness.
  • 2 cups marinara sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade.
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese: Grated for that cheesy goodness.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese: Grated for extra flavor.
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs: For a crispy coating.
  • 2 eggs: Beaten to help the breadcrumbs stick.
  • 1/2 cup flour: For dredging the eggplant.
  • Olive oil: For frying the eggplant.

Instructions
 

This is how I prepare my Eggplant Parmesan:

  • Prepare Eggplant: Sprinkle sliced eggplant with salt. Let them sit for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
  • Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Coat Eggplant:
  • Dredge in flour.
  • Dip slices in beaten eggs.
  • Coat with breadcrumbs.
  • Fry Eggplant: Heat olive oil in a pan. Fry eggplant slices until golden. Drain on paper towels.
  • Assemble:
  • Layer marinara sauce, eggplant, and cheeses in a baking dish.
  • Repeat layers, ending with cheese.
  • Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

I love adding some personal touches to this recipe.
Seasoning Tip: I often add Italian seasoning to my breadcrumb mix for added flavor. 🌿
Sauce Choice: Sometimes, I use spicy marinara for a kick.
Leftovers: This dish tastes great the next day too, so I always save some for lunch!
Serving Suggestion: Pair it with a fresh green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. 🥖
Keyword Baked Eggplant Parmesan, Cheesy Italian bake, Classic Eggplant Parmesan, Crispy fried eggplant, Eggplant casserole, Italian Dinner Recipe, Marinara and cheese layers, Vegetarian comfort food