Baked-Eggplant Parmesan

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This healthy baked version of eggplant parmesan is the most satisfying vegetarian dinner.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
8

Meatless Mondays have never been more exciting. Our baked-eggplant parmesan recipe is always a crowd-pleaser and will satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians alike. We love baked eggplant parm for easy weeknight meals instead of fried versions. This baked recipe is much lighter, more healthy, and won’t leave your kitchen stove messy and oil-spattered. 

This recipe is warm, comforting, and oh-so cheesy. Each satisfying bite of eggplant is filled with the flavors of tomatoes, herbs, mozzarella, and parmesan, all surrounded by plenty of crispy golden brown breadcrumbs. You’ll spend more time waiting for the eggplant parm to bake in the oven than actively prepping ingredients. Don’t expect to have many leftovers. 

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Grant Webster

What Is Eggplant Parmesan?

Eggplant parmesan is an Italian-American dish made by either frying or baking breadcrumb-coated slices of eggplant, then layering them with tomato sauce and lots of cheese. Whether baked or fried, each version makes its way into the oven to bake until warm and bubbly.

This dish is a super flavorful vegetarian alternative to chicken parmesan. It uses the same techniques, but swaps chicken cutlets for equally meaty eggplant.

Benefits of Baked vs. Fried Eggplant:

Baked eggplant is still packed with loads of flavor, but since it isn't deep-fried in oil, it absorbs much less fat, making it quite a bit healthier. Additionally, frying can get messy. This baked version is much easier to cleanup.

Frying eggplant parmesan helps keep the breading on the eggplant slices a little more crispy than the baked variation.

Types of Breadcrumbs:

This recipe calls for dry store-bought breadcrumbs, but you can also use panko in a pinch. Both dried breadcrumbs and panko are fine and dry, so they become very crisp and golden when baked or fried.

Fresh breadcrumbs contain more moisture, so your eggplant parmesan may end up a bit more soggy if you use these.

Choosing a Good Eggplant:

There are three visual cues to look for when choosing the perfect eggplant:

  1. Shiny skin: The skin should be dark purple and have a shiny complexion. Dull skin means the eggplant is no longer fresh.
  2. Smooth skin: Check the eggplant for any blemishes or wrinkles. This could indicate that the eggplant is old, and will not have good flavor.
  3. Firm to the touch: Aim for an eggplant whose firmness is somewhere between a ripe tomato and a cucumber. It should be firm with a little give when you gently squeeze it.

Ingredients

  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

  • 2 large eggs

  • ¾ cup plain dry breadcrumbs

  • ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan, plus 2 tablespoons for topping

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon dried basil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 2 large eggplants (2 ½ pounds total), peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds

  • 6 cups (48 ounces) store-bought chunky tomato sauce or homemade Chunky Tomato Sauce

  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

Directions

Ingredients of Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Grant Webster

  1. Preheat oven, prepare baking sheets:

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush 2 baking sheets with oil; set aside. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water.

    Baked Eggplant Parmesan Step 1

    Grant Webster

  2. Set up breading station:

    In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 3/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, and basil; season with salt and pepper.

    Step 2 Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    Grant Webster

  3. Coat eggplant in egg and breadcrumb mixtures:

    Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture, coating well; place on baking sheets.

    Baked Eggplant Parmesan Step 3

    Grant Webster

  4. Brown eggplant:

    Bake until golden brown on bottom, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn slices; continue baking until browned on other side, 20 to 25 minutes more. Remove from oven; raise oven heat to 400°F.

    Step 4 Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    Grant Webster

  5. Layer eggplant with tomato sauce and cheese:

    Spread 2 cups sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

    Eggplant Parmesan Step 5

    Grant Webster

  6. Place half eggplant over sauce:

    Arrange half the eggplant in dish.

    Step 6 Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    Grant Webster

  7. Add sauce and mozzarella, and repeat layers:

    Cover eggplant with 2 cups sauce, then 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella

    Step7a Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    Grant Webster

  8. Bake eggplant:

    Step 8 Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    Grant Webster

    Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Making Eggplant Parmesan Ahead of Time

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Grant Webster

When preparing eggplant parmesan in advance, you will definitely lose some of the crispness of the breading. With that said, you can layer and assemble the eggplant parmesan in the baking dish, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. From there, bake it as the recipe instructs, but you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the overall cook time.

How to Peel Eggplant for This Dish

The most effective way to peel eggplant is with a vegetable peeler. Peel away the skin just like you would when you peel a carrot.

If you don't have a vegetable peeler, you can carefully peel the eggplant using a sharp paring knife.

Storing Eggplant Parmesan

If you happen to have any leftovers, they will remain fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store in an ovenproof container so that you can tent the dish with aluminum foil before rewarming in the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is baked eggplant bitter?

Eggplant usually develops a bitter taste over time, so if your baked eggplant is tasting a little bitter, it is most likely because the eggplant itself was old or overripe.

Should I soak the eggplant in milk before cooking?

Milk is said to help draw out the bitterness in eggplant. Our recipe doesn't call for milk, but if you're worried that your eggplant will taste bitter, you can soak the slices in milk for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

Do you cover eggplant parmesan when baking?

Not for this recipe! If you take a peak at your eggplant parm and notice the top is darkening too quickly, cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. This will protect the top layer from direct heat and prevent further browning.

Why is my eggplant parmesan soggy?

Eggplant contains a lot of water, so it's no wonder it can become soggy. Baking this eggplant parmesan dish uncovered allows moisture to escape so the final dish won't be too water-logged.

Try These Other Eggplant Parmesan Recipes:

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, December 2003
Updated by
Riley Wofford
riley-wofford-2018

Riley is an associate food editor for Martha Stewart Living.

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