A delightful twist on a classic Italian dish featuring layers of crispy eggplant, marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese.
Author:info-nailzspagmail-com
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:65 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 medium eggplants (about 1.5 pounds)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
to taste salt
to taste pepper
optional fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the eggplants into 1/2 inch thick rounds. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out moisture.
Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Set up a breading station: Place the flour in one bowl, whisk the eggs in a second bowl, and put the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
Arrange the breaded eggplant slices on a baking sheet, lightly spray with cooking spray, and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway until golden brown.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in the marinara sauce and heat until warm. Add dried oregano and basil, and season with salt and pepper.
Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish. Layer half of the baked eggplant slices, followed by half of the mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining eggplant, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Bake in the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.
Notes
For extra crispiness, consider double-breading the eggplants and ensure you salt them to remove excess moisture.