A delicious and comforting baked eggplant parmesan recipe that is perfect for a vegetarian Italian dinner.
Author:Caroline Jones
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 large eggplants, sliced into rounds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly salt eggplant slices and let sit for 10 minutes to remove bitterness. Pat dry.
Dip each slice in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs until fully coated.
For a lighter version, arrange coated slices on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20 minutes until golden. Alternatively, fry until crispy.
Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté garlic, then add tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, and chili flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a baking dish, spread a layer of sauce, add eggplant slices, then sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat layers.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Serving suggestion: pair with pasta, fresh salad, or crusty bread.
Add a light garlic yogurt dressing or basil cream sauce for extra richness.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
For a vegan version, replace cheese with plant-based alternatives.