Classic Eggplant Parmesan
A comforting, golden-brown Italian classic featuring tender eggplant slices layered with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
- •2 medium eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- •1 cup all-purpose flour
- •2 large eggs, beaten
- •2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- •1/2 cup olive oil for frying
- •3 cups high-quality marinara sauce
- •16 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- •1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- •1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Place eggplant slices on a paper towel-lined tray, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat dry.
- 2
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
- 3
Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, dip into the egg, and coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs.
- 4
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side; drain on paper towels.
- 5
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 6
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- 7
Arrange a layer of fried eggplant in the dish, top with more sauce, a portion of the mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- 8
Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- 10
Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For a lighter version, you can brush the breaded eggplant with olive oil and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes instead of frying.
- Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated; just add 10 minutes to the baking time when ready to cook.
- Always use fresh mozzarella if possible, as it melts significantly better than pre-shredded varieties.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should have a crispy-edged, tender interior with a bubbling, golden-brown cheese crust and a fragrant, savory aroma of roasted tomatoes and fresh basil.