Baked Eggplant Parmesan

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Baked Eggplant Parmesan is as easy as one, two, three! Start with slicing the eggplant, breading it, and baking it to golden perfection.  Finish it off with cheese and marinara sauce.

This is it folks.   I start back to school tomorrow.  With school starting back up that means I’ll be making lots of quick and easy weeknight meals.

A plate of spaghetti and baked eggplant with the text Baked Eggplant Parmesan on the photo.

People often ask me how I can cook six or seven nights a week and not want to go out.  The answer is simple; there’s no where to go.

That’s not a joke either.  I live in a very rural area where there are probably five sit down chain restaurants, ten fast food places, and maybe five other restaurants.  Out of those there are a total of three I enjoy eating at.

There’s an Asian place with really good chicken and tofu, a fast food place with decent chicken, and an Italian place with amazing eggplant parmesan.  Otherwise, I want to eat at home because almost anything I make is going to be better then what I get when I eat out.

When I lived in Pittsburgh this wasn’t always the case.  We had hundreds, if not thousands, of restaurants to choose from and many that I loved.  But you adapt to your situation and mine is to cook in order to stay well fed.

Even though I love the Italian place in town, it takes 20 minutes to get there so whenever I want carry out I spend about an hour to get there, pay my bill, get the food, and get back home.

During the week I don’t want to run around for an hour after work.   Not that making it is any easier as cutting, battering, and frying takes time.  I’m also done baked eggplant which still takes upwards of an hour.  So when I found a recipe for a healthier eggplant parmesan that could be made in under 30 minutes I was sold.

Ingredients:

  • spaghetti noodles (or a thicker fettuccine if you prefer)
  • eggplant (use a medium sized one as larger ones have too many seeds)
  • eggs
  • panko breakcrumbs (you can use regular ones but panko makes for a better crunch)
  • dried oregano
  • garlic powder
  • salt and pepper
  • Parmesan cheese (I like getting the grated Parmesan but you can use the stuff in a can)
  • shredded mozzarella cheese
  • marinara sauce
  • chopped parsley (try to get fresh but you can use dried in a pinch)

So instead of frying up the eggplant in a pan this eggplant is broiled in the oven.  I was skeptical as to whether or not the eggplant would be crisp and tender but it turned out to be both.

Broiling it in batches I was able to cook an entire eggplant in around 10 minutes.  It only goes in for 1-2 minutes per side and I only had 2 batches because I used a large cookie sheet.

Pin Image:  A plate of spaghetti topped with baked eggplant and cheese, text title, a board with all the ingredients on it.

What is Eggplant Parmesan?

Eggplant Parmesan is a traditional Italian meal.  It’s usually made of fried slices of eggplant layered with cheese and sauce that’s baked in the oven.  It can also be made with veal or chicken.

Should I peel the eggplant?

That is entirely up to you.   Depending on how thick the skin is I usually prefer not to peel it.  However, if an eggplant has thicker skin I will peel it because it can be firm and not taste very good.  If in doubt error on the side of caution and peel it.

What should I serve with eggplant parmesan?

I like to serve mine with some type of bread.  I prefer serving garlic bread, breadsticks, or even focaccia bread. I also like to serve it with a green salad if I have the extra time.

How do I store Eggplant Parmesan?

Store the eggplant parmesan in a container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  I usually put the spaghetti in a separate contain when refrigerating..  You can reheat it in the microwave though it will get a little soggy.  My preferred reheating method is to put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

The eggplant was golden brown and crisp, and it was also tender.  I was seriously surprised by how delicious it was!

A baking dish of eggplant layered with cheese and sauce.

After it comes out you have two options.  You can make it the easy way which is to simply heat the marinara sauce in the microwave or stove top.  Then place the eggplant over top of spaghetti and pour the sauce over top.

You can also layer the eggplant in a baking dish, pour cheese and sauce over top, then add a second layer of eggplant, cheese, and sauce.  Bake for 10 minutes then cut and serve over top of spaghetti.

More Pasta Recipes:

My husband was surprised by how quickly the eggplant parmesan was finished.  He was also surprised to find that it was baked and not fried.

I served it over top of pasta and covered it in sauce then served it with a side of garlic bread.   We both really enjoyed the flavor of the dish.  It’s going on our monthly rotation of dishes for sure!

If you’ve tried my Baked Eggplant Parmesan or any other recipe on Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you! You can FOLLOW ME on:

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Yield: serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 medium eggplant
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 t. water
  • 1 c. panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 t. oregano
  • 1 t. garlic powder
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 c. marinara sauce
  • 1 t. black pepper
  • 3 T. chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Move an oven rack 8-10 inches below the broiler. Preheat the broiler to high.
  2. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and keep warm.
  3. Cut the top and bottom off of the eggplant. Peel the eggplant. Cut it into 1/2 inch slices (about 16 slices).
  4. Combine the water and eggs in a shallow dish. Place the Panko, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and Parmesan in a second shallow dish.
  5. Dip the eggplant into the egg mixture and then press into the panko mixture. Arrange the slices on two baking sheets.
  6. Broil for 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove from oven and sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and broil for an additional minute or until the cheese has melted.
  7. Heat the marinara sauce in the microwave for 1 minute or until heated.
  8. Arrange 1/2 cup of spaghetti on a plate, top with 2 slices of eggplant, and marinara sauce. Sprinkle with black pepper and chopped parsley.

Notes

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 584Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1403mgCarbohydrates: 89gFiber: 9gSugar: 15gProtein: 26g
A plate of Baked Eggplant Parmesan over top of pasta.

 

16 Comments

  1. We live in an area with tons of restaurants and I still love cooking and eating in. This sounds delicious.

  2. I’m with you, Heather. We would much prefer to eat in than out and we have all sorts of restaurant options. I love your broiling option for the eggplant. I have been using my griddle pan for the same effect and speed, then baking. I need to try it your way soon!

  3. This looks fantastic. I’m such a city girl, I think I would go bonkers if I couldn’t eat out a lot! Good one on you for making an awesome meal quicker than you can get it home!

    1. I am also a city girl and living out in the country for 12 years is sometimes hard for me, but we go back home (to the city) at least one weekend a month.

  4. Frequently we go out, spend a lot of money and walk away thinking we could have made a better meal at home. The only exception to that seems to be when we go to Los Angeles – the food seems better and cheaper (ironically) than the restaurants at home.

    Love eggplant parmesan – gorgeous photos!

  5. This is a must try for sure! I can’t believe how quick and easy it is! I’m in the same boat as you when it comes to going out. There just isn’t anywhere to go and why spend a bundle on something I can make better at home for so much less! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!

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