Best 11 Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana Recipes

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**Indulge in the Culinary Symphony of Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana: A Journey of Flavors and Textures**

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the delectable symphony of flavors and textures that is Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana. This culinary masterpiece, hailing from the vibrant streets of Italy, combines the tender embrace of eggplant, the bold savoriness of ground beef, the rich embrace of marinara sauce, and the golden crisp of melted mozzarella cheese. Each bite promises a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, leaving you craving more.

Our culinary journey begins with the preparation of the eggplant. Sliced into hearty rounds, they are carefully coated in a blend of herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs, then gently browned to perfection. Next, the ground beef is skillfully seasoned and cooked until it achieves a rich, savory flavor. The resulting combination is layered with a robust marinara sauce, creating a flavorful foundation for the dish.

To elevate the experience, we introduce a layer of melted mozzarella cheese, which blankets the entire creation in a blanket of gooey goodness. As the parmigiana bakes in the oven, the cheese melts and bubbles, creating a golden-brown crust that adds an irresistible crunch to each bite.

This article offers a collection of Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana recipes that cater to all tastes and preferences. From the classic Italian recipe to creative variations that incorporate unique ingredients and cooking techniques, there's a recipe here to satisfy every palate.

So, embark on this culinary adventure and discover the magic of Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana. Let the flavors dance on your tongue as you savor each bite of this delectable dish. Prepare to be amazed by the harmonious blend of textures and flavors that come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE



Eggplant Parmesan Recipe image

Classic eggplant Parmesan with layers of globe eggplant, mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil. Layers of comfort and flavor, Italian-style! Don't skip the first step of salting the eggplant, and be sure to check out the notes and watch the video and tutorial.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Entree

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 eggplants (thinly sliced length-wise)
Salt
2 large eggs (beaten)
Black pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups tomato sauce, (no salt added)
2 oz Parmesan cheese, (grated (more if needed))
Large bunch of fresh basil leaves, (reserve a few for garnish)
8 to 10 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, (sliced (more if needed))

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Lay eggplant slices on a large baking sheet lined with paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and set aside for 30 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Pat dry. (Optional step. See notes)
  • Prepare a dredging station with two somewhat shallow bowls, one for the beaten eggs and the other for flour.
  • Coat an eggplant slice in the flour (shake off the excess) then dip it into the egg and let excess drip back into the bowl. Repeat with the remaining slices. Set eggplant on a large tray for now.
  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Working in batches if necessary, cook the eggplant slices for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until nicely golden. Place fried eggplant on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
  • Assemble the eggplant parmesan casserole. Spread a bit of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish, add a layer of fried eggplant slices, then top with Parmesan, basil, and mozzarella in Season to your taste. Continue layering in this same pattern until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on the very top.
  • Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake in 325 degrees F heated-oven for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted.
  • Remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes before serving. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil on top. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 252.7 kcal, Sugar 7 g, Sodium 630.4 mg, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 14.9 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 12.7 g, Cholesterol 68.1 mg, ServingSize 1 serving

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA



Eggplant Parmigiana image

I really think this is what I would eat for my last meal on Earth. It's so simple and, when done right, sublime. I cannot stop eating this!

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h45m

Yield 4 and 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved, and cut into thin slices
6 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 (28-ounce) cans San Marzano whole plum tomatoes
2 medium eggplants, washed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds (about 2 1/2 pounds)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Freshly ground black pepper
5 large eggs
3 tablespoons whole milk
4 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Vegetable oil, for frying, as needed, about 1 1/2 to 2 cups
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella cheese, cut into thin slices
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 pound provolone cheese, grated
2 handfuls fresh basil, leaves only, torn

Steps:

  • For the tomato sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt and red pepper flakes. Cook until the onions become translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sugar and the canned tomatoes. Use a wooden spoon to break up some of the whole tomatoes and cook 10 to 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning, the tomatoes should be fairly broken down and the flavors coming together. Cook for another few minutes if the tomatoes still taste like they need a little more time to break down. Set aside to cool.
  • For the eggplant (this step is optional, leave it out if you have limited time): Arrange the eggplant rounds in a single layer on 2 baking sheets. Sprinkle with salt on both sides of each slice and allow it to sit for about 1 hour. Salting it draws out the liquid and bitter flavor. After an hour, rinse with cold water and dry them thoroughly with a kitchen towel.
  • Put the flour in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk and season with salt and pepper. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the oregano and fresh thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Dip each eggplant slice in the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat both sides of each slice of eggplant. Arrange them in single layers on the baking sheets.
  • In a large skillet, pour enough oil to accumulate about 1/2-inch in the bottom. Heat the oil until it begins to smoke lightly (alternatively, test with a thermometer and wait until the oil registers between 380 degrees F and 400 degrees F). Use a pair of kitchen tongs to add a single layer of the eggplant to the pan. Cook them until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the oil and transfer to a baking sheet fitted with a kitchen towel so the eggplant can drain as the others cook. Season lightly with salt. Take care to reheat the oil back up to temperature before adding another batch of slices to the pan.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • To assemble: In a 9 by 13-inch flameproof baking dish, spoon about 1/4 of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Top with a layer of the fried eggplant; the eggplant slices can overlap slightly. Top with about 1/3 of the mozzarella slices. Sprinkle with about 1/4 of the Parmesan and provolone cheeses. Top with a layer of torn basil leaves. Spoon sauce and repeat the layering 2 more times to make 3 layers. End with the remaining mozzarella. Carefully press the layers down firmly into the dish once assembled. Place the dish in the top part of the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. For extra browning, put the dish under the broiler for a minute or two just before serving to get an extra brown cheesy top. I always nibble on a bit of that before sharing it with my friends!

SIMPLE EGGPLANT PARM



Simple Eggplant Parm image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 Japanese eggplants, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup jarred marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Arrange the eggplant halves cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Using the tip of a knife, score the flesh of the eggplant, being careful not to cut all the way through. Rub them evenly with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with the salt. Roast until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove the eggplant from the oven and divide the marinara evenly over the halves. Sprinkle with the mozzarella. Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Top the eggplant with the breadcrumb mixture and return to the oven until golden brown and bubbly, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle with the basil and pepper flakes.

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA



Eggplant Parmigiana image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 2h45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, halved and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, grated
Kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
One 28-ounce can plus one 15-ounce can whole San Marzano plum tomatoes
1 medium eggplant (about 1 1/4 pounds), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
Kosher salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Freshly ground pepper
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Vegetable oil, for frying (1 1/2 to 2 cups)
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
2 cups grated provolone cheese (about 8 ounces)
Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and season with salt and the red pepper flakes; cook until the onions are soft and translucent, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the sugar and tomatoes and break up some of the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes are fairly broken down, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Let cool.
  • Prepare the eggplant: Put the eggplant rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt on both sides and let sit, about 1 hour. Rinse the eggplant with cold water and dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel. (Salting the eggplant draws out the liquid and bitter flavor, but it's optional: Skip this step if you don't have time.)
  • Put the flour in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and season with salt and pepper. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, oregano and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour and shake off any excess. Dip in the egg mixture and finally in the breadcrumbs, coating both sides. Lay the eggplant slices on baking sheets in a single layer.
  • Heat about 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke lightly (between 380 degrees F and 400 degrees F). Using tongs, add a single layer of eggplant to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season lightly with salt. Repeat until all of the eggplant is fried.
  • Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon about one-quarter of the tomato sauce into a 9-by-13-inch flameproof baking dish. Top with a layer of the fried eggplant, overlapping the slices slightly. Top with about one-quarter of the mozzarella, then sprinkle with about one-third each of the parmesan, provolone and basil. Repeat the layering 2 more times (sauce, eggplant, cheese, basil), then finish with the remaining sauce and mozzarella. Press the layers firmly into the dish. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. For an extra-brown top, put the dish under the broiler for a minute or two just before serving.

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA



Eggplant Parmigiana image

Provided by Mrs. Melillo

Categories     dinner, weekday, main course

Time 1h15m

Yield about 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 medium eggplant
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 eggs
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
Olive oil (like Bertolli)
3 cups tomato sauce (homemade from canned plum tomatoes, or you can use marinara sauce)
1 package (12 ounces) shredded skim-milk mozzarella cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
  • In a small paper bag, mix the flour, salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with enough milk to thin them out. Shake a few eggplant slices at a time in the flour mixture to coat. Dip each slice into the egg mixture and drain in a bowl.
  • Heat about 1/4 inch of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet and fry the eggplant on both sides in batches until browned. Drain on paper towels.
  • Spread some sauce over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and top with some eggplant. Spread with sauce and mozzarella. Repeat, making 2 to 3 layers, ending with mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
  • Cover pan with foil and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 457, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 1017 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CONTEST-WINNING EGGPLANT PARMESAN



Contest-Winning Eggplant Parmesan image

Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it's much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. -Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 large eggs, beaten
2-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
3 medium eggplants, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 jars (4-1/2 ounces each) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 jar (28 ounces) spaghetti sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Place eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then coat in crumbs. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake until tender and golden brown, 15-20 minutes, turning once., In a small bowl, combine mushrooms, basil and oregano. In another small bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses., Spread 1/2 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with a third of the mushroom mixture, a third of the eggplant, 3/4 cup sauce and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice., Bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 305 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 912mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

BEEF 'N' EGGPLANT PIE



Beef 'n' Eggplant Pie image

Everyone likes eggplant when you taste it in this savory pie. If you have eggplant in the garden or can get it at the market, I'd recommend this recipe. If the eggplant is large and the skin seems tough, its a good idea to peel it first. -Audrey Nemeth Chesterville, Maine

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Dough for single-crust pie
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 cups cubed eggplant
3/4 pound ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 celery rib with leaves, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 to 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate while preparing filling. , In a small skillet, melt butter. Add eggplant; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the eggplant, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. , Spoon beef mixture into pie crust. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368 calories, Fat 24g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 857mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN II



Eggplant Parmesan II image

This is a no fry variation of this popular dish, and is just as delicious!

Provided by Dolores Gentner-Ryan

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
6 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
½ teaspoon dried basil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
  • In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487.4 calories, Carbohydrate 62.1 g, Cholesterol 72.8 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 8.8 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 1663.1 mg, Sugar 19.9 g

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA



Eggplant Parmigiana image

This delicious eggplant casserole from my mom makes a wonderful meatless meal. It's a resourceful way to use up the eggplant in your garden, and the homemade marinara sauce tastes so good. -Valerie Belley St. Louis, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 10-12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 teaspoons salt
2 large onions, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon honey
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter, divided
8 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Place eggplant in a colander; sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onions, basil, bay leaves, oregano and thyme in oil until onions are tender. , Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, honey and lemon-pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add garlic; simmer 10 minutes longer. Discard bay leaves., Rinse eggplant slices; pat dry with paper towels. In a shallow bowl, combine eggs and pepper; place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip eggplant into eggs, then coat with crumbs. Let stand for 5 minutes., In a large skillet, cook half of the eggplant in 2 tablespoons butter for 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining eggplant and butter. , In each of two greased 11x7-in. baking dishes, layer half of each of the eggplant, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 984 calories, Fat 59g fat (35g saturated fat), Cholesterol 226mg cholesterol, Sodium 2164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 81g protein.

BEEFY MELANZANE PARMIGIANA



Beefy melanzane parmigiana image

Try a meaty take on the traditional Italian aubergine bake by adding rich beef ragu. Top with mascarpone, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

Provided by Sarah Cook

Categories     Main course

Time 2h10m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tbsp olive oil , plus extra for brushing
800g beef mince
3 garlic cloves , crushed
3 thyme sprigs
3 rosemary sprigs
3 bay leaves
2 x 400g cans chopped tomato
glass of red wine
1 beef stock cube
1 tbsp sugar
5 aubergines , sliced lengthways into 5mm slices
2 x 125g balls mozzarella , torn into small chunks
50g parmesan , grated
250g tub mascarpone

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan or flameproof casserole dish. Add the mince and brown over a high heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon as you go. (You may need to do this in batches.) Once well browned, tip onto a plate.
  • Add the remaining oil, the garlic and herbs to the pan and gently cook for 1 min. Tip in the tomatoes and red wine, and bring to a simmer, stirring up any meaty bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Return the mince to the pan, crumble in the stock cube, and add sugar and seasoning. Gently simmer for at least 1 hr, stirring occasionally, splashing in more water to keep it saucy if you need to. If you have time to simmer for longer, go for it - the longer the better. Fish out the herb stalks and bay leaves.
  • Meanwhile, heat a griddle or frying pan. Brush the aubergine slices on both sides with olive oil, then griddle in batches. You want each slice softened and slightly charred, so don't have the heat too high or the aubergine will char before softening. Remove to a plate as you go.
  • Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Set aside some of each cheese to go on the top. In a large baking dish spread a spoonful of mince sauce over the base then top with a layer of aubergines and season well. Spoon over some more mince sauce, then scatter over some mozzarella, Parmesan and blobs of mascarpone. Add another layer of aubergines and some seasoning. Repeat, layering everything up and finish with a layer of meat sauce. Top with your reserved cheese and bake for 30-40 mins until the top is crisp and golden and mince bubbling.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 787 calories, Fat 58 grams fat, SaturatedFat 31 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 18 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 17 grams sugar, Fiber 14 grams fiber, Protein 45 grams protein, Sodium 1.5 milligram of sodium

TRADITIONAL EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA



Traditional Eggplant Parmigiana image

Layers of rich red sauce, meaty fried eggplant, and melted cheese... Are you hungry yet? Our method for eggplant parmigiana is sure to satisfy.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Vegetarian Recipes

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 medium eggplants (1 1/2 pounds total), cut into 1/4-inch rounds
Coarse salt and pepper
2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes, pureed
3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 1/2 cups plain dried breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano (2 ounces), divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • In a colander, toss eggplant with 2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Arrange slices in a single layer on a dish towel and roll up tightly to extract excess water.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium pot, bring tomatoes and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer until thickened, 30 minutes.
  • In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Put flour and eggs in two more shallow dishes. Coat eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Coat with breadcrumbs.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium-high (a few breadcrumbs should sizzle when added). In batches, fry eggplant until golden brown and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet.
  • Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with half the eggplant, overlapping slices slightly, 2 cups sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella, then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
  • Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 447 g, Fat 25 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 4 g

Tips:

  • Eggplant Preparation: Before cooking, slice the eggplant and sprinkle it with salt. Let it rest for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry. This will help remove excess moisture and prevent the eggplant from becoming soggy.
  • Breading the Eggplant: To achieve a crispy coating, use a triple-coating method. First, dredge the eggplant slices in flour, then dip them in beaten eggs, and finally coat them in breadcrumbs. This will ensure that the breading adheres properly and results in a golden-brown crust.
  • Frying the Eggplant: Use a generous amount of oil to fry the eggplant slices. This will help them turn out crispy and prevent them from sticking to the pan. Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the eggplant, as this will help prevent it from absorbing too much oil.
  • Making the Sauce: Use high-quality ingredients for the sauce, such as fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop and deepen. You can also add a touch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Assembling the Parmigiana: Layer the fried eggplant slices, sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a baking dish. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used up. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
  • Baking the Parmigiana: Bake the parmigiana in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the eggplant is tender. This usually takes around 20-25 minutes. Let the parmigiana cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Conclusion:

Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of eggplant, beef, cheese, and sauce. By following the tips and steps outlined in this recipe, you can easily create a restaurant-quality parmigiana at home. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to impress your friends and family. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delightful culinary experience!

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