Best 3 Best Eggplant Parmesan Recipes

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**Eggplant Parmesan: A Classic Italian Dish with a Modern Twist**

Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. This hearty and flavorful dish is made with layers of breaded and fried eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese, baked until golden brown and bubbly. The combination of crispy eggplant, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese creates a symphony of flavors that is sure to please everyone. In this article, we bring you a collection of the best Eggplant Parmesan recipes that offer a modern twist on this classic dish. From traditional Italian recipes to creative variations using different ingredients and cooking methods, these recipes are sure to satisfy your craving for this delicious and comforting meal. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking to try something new, our selection of Eggplant Parmesan recipes has something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE BY TASTY



The Best Eggplant Parmesan Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: medium eggplants, coarse salt, all-purpose flour, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, pepper, vegetable oil, marinara sauce, fresh basil, low-moisture mozzarella, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese

Provided by Gwenaelle Le Cochennec

Categories     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 medium eggplants, washed
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon pepper
2 cups vegetable oil
2 ½ cups marinara sauce, divided
2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced, plus more for garnish
2 cups low-moisture mozzarella, shredded
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Cut each eggplant into about ½-inch (1-cm) thick round slices.
  • Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
  • Sprinkle the eggplant with half of the coarse salt. Flip the slices over and sprinkle with the rest of the salt.
  • Put another baking sheet on top of the eggplant and place something heavy, like a cast-iron skillet, on the top baking sheet to help release moisture from the eggplant. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Brush most of the salt from the eggplant with a paper towel, then transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
  • Coat each eggplant slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry using more paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  • Pour about 1 cup (260 g) of marinara sauce into a 2½-quart (2 L) baking dish and spread evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
  • Add about 8 eggplant slices (it's okay if they overlap) and cover with ½ cup (130 g) of marinara. Sprinkle with a third of the fresh basil, then top with about a third of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Finish with the fresh mozzarella cheese and a final sprinkling of Parmesan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, until the mozzarella is bubbling and golden brown.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve garnished with fresh basil.
  • Enjoy!

THE BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN



The Best Eggplant Parmesan image

Truly delicious! I love eggplant and have many recipes, but this one's my favorite. The cheeses and seasonings make this dish unforgettable. -Dottie Kilpatrick, Wilmington, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 2 casseroles (8 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
1 cup pitted ripe olives, chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried basil
3 tablespoons capers, drained
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
EGGPLANT:
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, beaten
3 cups dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 small eggplants (about 1 pound each), peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices
1 cup olive oil
CHEESE:
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cartons (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
1-1/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves or 2 tablespoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook garlic in oil 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, olives, basil, capers, pepper flakes and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 45-60 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, for eggplant, place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. In another bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder and oregano. Dip eggplant in flour, eggs, then bread crumb mixture., In a large skillet, cook eggplant in batches in oil for 5 minutes on each side or until tender. Drain on paper towels. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, basil and pepper., Preheat oven to 350°. In each of two greased 13x9-in. baking dishes, layer 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce, four eggplant slices, 1 cup ricotta mixture and 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle each with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts :

BA'S BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN



BA's Best Eggplant Parmesan image

Trying to slice into this eggplant Parmesan while it's molten hot creates an oozy mess, so let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Bon Appétit     Eggplant     Parmesan     Tomato     Breadcrumbs     Oregano     Basil     Mozzarella     Cheese     Vegetarian

Yield Serves 12

Number Of Ingredients 25

Marinara:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 head of garlic, cloves crushed
1 large red onion, chopped
3 oil-packed anchovy fillets (optional)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup torn basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt
Eggplant and assembly:
4 pounds Italian eggplants (about 4 medium), peeled, sliced lengthwise 1/2-3/4 inch thick
Kosher salt
3 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups finely grated Parmesan, divided
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5 large eggs, beaten to blend
1 1/3 cups olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped basil and parsley, plus basil leaves for serving
6 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, grated (about 1 1/3 cups)
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Marinara:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add onion, anchovies (if using), and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes. Add wine, bring to a boil, and cook until almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, breaking up with your hands, and their juices; add basil and oregano and stir to combine. Swirl 1 1/2 cups water into one tomato can, then the other, to rinse, and add to pot; season with salt. Transfer pot to oven; roast sauce, stirring halfway through, until thick and tomatoes are browned on top and around edges of pot, 2-2 1/2 hours.
  • Let sauce cool slightly. Pass through the large holes of a food mill or process in a food processor until mostly smooth. Taste and season with salt.
  • Lightly season eggplant slices all over with salt; place in a single layer on several layers of paper towels inside a rimmed baking sheet. Top with another layer of paper towels and more slices; repeat as needed. Top with a final layer of paper towels, then another rimmed baking sheet; weigh down with a heavy pot. Let eggplant sit until it has released excess liquid, 45-60 minutes. This step gives the eggplant a creamy texture when baked.
  • Meanwhile, pulse panko, oregano, pepper, and 3/4 cup Parmesan in a food processor until very finely ground. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place flour in another shallow bowl and eggs in a third shallow bowl. Working one at a time, dredge eggplant slices in flour, then dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off. Coat in breadcrumbs, packing all around, then shaking off excess. Place on wire racks.
  • Heat 2/3 cup oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook as many eggplant slices as will comfortably fit in pan, turning once, until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and immediately press with more paper towel to absorb oil. Working in batches, repeat with remaining slices, adding remaining 2/3 cup oil and wiping out skillet as needed. Let cool. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
  • Toss chopped herbs, low-moisture mozzarella, and remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan in a medium bowl. Spread 1 cup sauce over the bottom of a 13x9" baking pan; top with a layer of eggplant slices (trim as needed). Drizzle 1 cup sauce over and sprinkle with one-third of cheese mixture. Add another layer of eggplant, followed by 1 cup sauce and half of remaining cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining slices, sauce, and cheese mixture. Cover with foil and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until eggplant is custardy, 45-60 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and arrange fresh mozzarella over eggplant. Increase oven temperature to 425°F and bake, uncovered, until cheese is bubbling and browned in spots, 15-20 minutes longer. Let rest 30 minutes. Top with basil leaves just before slicing.
  • Do Ahead
  • Marinara can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Eggplant Parmesan can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover with foil and chill. Reheat in a 350°F oven, uncovering halfway through, until bubbling gently at edges.

Tips:

  • Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
  • Slice the eggplant evenly: This will help them cook evenly. Use a sharp knife to cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  • Salt the eggplant slices: This will help to draw out the moisture and prevent the eggplant from becoming bitter. Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and let them rest for 30 minutes.
  • Dredge the eggplant slices in flour: This will help them to brown nicely in the pan. Dredge the eggplant slices in flour, shaking off any excess.
  • Fry the eggplant slices in olive oil: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until they are golden brown on both sides.
  • Make the tomato sauce: While the eggplant is frying, make the tomato sauce. In a large pot, heat some olive oil and add a chopped onion. Cook the onion until it is softened. Add a few cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add a can of crushed tomatoes, a can of tomato paste, and some dried oregano and basil. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for at least 30 minutes.
  • Assemble the eggplant Parmesan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large baking dish, layer the eggplant slices, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers until all of the ingredients have been used.
  • Bake the eggplant Parmesan: Bake the eggplant Parmesan for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve the eggplant Parmesan: Let the eggplant Parmesan cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with a side of spaghetti or garlic bread.

Conclusion:

Eggplant Parmesan is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its crispy eggplant, flavorful tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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