A hearty and comforting vegetarian take on the classic Italian-American dish, featuring golden-fried eggplant slices layered with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Author:Carla Davis
Prep Time:25 min
Cook Time:30 min
Total Time:55 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 medium eggplants, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil, for frying
24 ounces marinara sauce
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper mixed together.
Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices over the sauce.
Top the eggplant with more marinara sauce and slices of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers until all eggplant is used, ending with a layer of sauce and mozzarella.
Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can bake the breaded eggplant slices instead of frying them. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden.
You can prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate it. Bake it just before serving.
Serve with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.