Best 5 Eggplant Parmesan Heros Recipes

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**Eggplant Parmesan Heroes: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors and Textures**

Embark on a delightful culinary journey with our tantalizing Eggplant Parmesan Heroes, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds enraptured. Crispy eggplant slices, smothered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, nestled between layers of melted cheese, all enveloped within a soft and airy hero roll. This delectable sandwich is a symphony of contrasting textures, from the crispiness of the eggplant to the gooeyness of the cheese, all brought together by the tangy tomato sauce. Indulge in this irresistible dish and let your taste buds celebrate the sheer brilliance of this culinary masterpiece.

**Explore a World of Eggplant Parmesan Delights:**

1. **Classic Eggplant Parmesan:** Experience the timeless allure of this traditional Italian dish, featuring tender eggplant slices, expertly breaded and fried, then layered with a savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

2. **Eggplant Parmesan with Roasted Red Peppers:** Elevate your taste buds with this vibrant variation, where roasted red peppers add a touch of sweetness and smokiness to the classic combination of eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese.

3. **Eggplant Parmesan with Spinach and Artichoke:** Discover a delightful twist on the classic, where spinach and artichoke hearts join forces to create a flavor-packed filling, complemented perfectly by the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.

4. **Eggplant Parmesan with Pesto:** Embark on a culinary adventure with this unique rendition, where aromatic pesto adds a burst of freshness and herbaceousness to the traditional eggplant parmesan flavors.

5. **Eggplant Parmesan Sliders:** Enjoy the classic flavors of eggplant parmesan in a fun and shareable format. These bite-sized sliders are perfect for parties, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal.

6. **Eggplant Parmesan Fries:** Experience a playful twist on the classic, where eggplant slices are cut into fries, coated in breadcrumbs, and baked to perfection. Served with a marinara dipping sauce, these fries are a delightful appetizer or side dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EGGPLANT PARMESAN HERO



Eggplant Parmesan Hero image

Provided by Amanda Freitag

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Oil, for frying
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
4 hoagie rolls
2 cups marinara sauce, warmed
1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and fill with 1/2-inch oil. Preheat the broiler.
  • Place the eggs in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and some salt and pepper. Coat each slice of eggplant with the eggs, and then dredge through the breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. (The eggplant slices can be frozen at this point for later use.)
  • Fry the eggplant slices in batches until brown and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and repeat for the remaining slices. Spread the bottom half of a roll with 1/4 cup of the marinara. Place 3 slices of the fried eggplant on top, another 1/4 cup of the marinara and finish with one-quarter of the mozzarella. Repeat for the remaining rolls. Broil the sandwiches until the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN HEROS



Eggplant Parmesan Heros image

Categories     Sandwich     Cheese     Tomato     Vegetable     Bake     Fry     Super Bowl     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Back to School     Winter     Gourmet     Small Plates

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 (28-oz) cans whole tomatoes in purée, puréed in a blender until smooth
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (1 1/4-lb) eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups fine fresh bread crumbs (from firm white sandwich bread), lightly toasted
1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (3 ounces)
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups vegetable oil
4 (12-inch-long) loaves Italian bread, halved lengthwise
1 lb fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Make tomato sauce:
  • Heat olive oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomato purée, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
  • Prepare eggplant:
  • Toss eggplant slices with 1 teaspoon salt in a colander set over a bowl, then let stand 30 minutes.
  • Stir together flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl, then stir together bread crumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano in another shallow bowl.
  • Dredge eggplant slices in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg, letting excess drip off, and dredge in bread crumbs until evenly coated. Transfer eggplant to sheets of wax paper, arranging slices in 1 layer.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry eggplant 4 slices at a time, turning over once, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain.
  • Arrange bottom halves of bread loaves on a large baking sheet and tops on another large baking sheet, all with cut sides up. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce on each top and bottom. Divide eggplant between bottom halves, overlapping slices slightly. Top each (open-faced) sandwich with 1/4 cup tomato sauce and one fourth of mozzarella.
  • Bake open-faced sandwiches in lower third of oven until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. When cheese begins to melt, put tops of loaves in upper third of oven and bake until edges are golden, 3 to 4 minutes (watch tops closely; they burn easily). Put tops on bottoms to make sandwiches, then slice into serving pieces.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN



Eggplant Parmesan image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h15m

Yield about 4 to 6 main course servi

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 medium eggplant (about 2 1/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch-thick round slices
Kosher salt, as needed, plus 1 tablespoon
5 cups fresh breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
All-purpose flour for dredging
6 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons whole milk
Olive oil, as needed
7 cups QUICK MARINARA SAUCE, recipe follows
2/3 cup grated Parmesan, divided
1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced (about 1/3 cup)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
7 cups whole, peeled, canned tomatoes in puree (about two 28-ounce can), roughly chopped
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 sprigs of fresh basil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Arrange the eggplant slices on several baking sheets and sprinkle generously all over with kosher salt. Set aside to let the bitter juices weep from the eggplant, about 1 hour.
  • Transfer the eggplant to a colander in the sink, and rinse well under cold running water. Transfer eggplant to a work surface and blot very dry with paper towels.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, breadcrumbs, oregano, thyme, and season with pepper.
  • Place the flour in a medium lipped plate or bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Dredge an eggplant slice in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the eggplant to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
  • In a large straight-sided skillet, pour the oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it registers 400 degrees F on a deep frying thermometer. (The oil must be heated to 400 degrees F. so that the breaded eggplant, when added, will drop the temperature of the oil to the proper frying temperature of 375 degrees F.)
  • Working in small batches, fry the eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season with salt to taste. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush a 15 x 10- x 2-inch-baking dish with olive oil. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1/3 of the marinara sauce and arrange half of the eggplant over the sauce. Cover the eggplant with another 1/3 of the sauce. Scatter half of the Parmesan and half of the mozzarella over the sauced eggplant. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Bake until hot and just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper to taste. Use immediately, store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Yield: about 3 1/2 cups
  • Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

GRILLED EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA HEROS



Grilled Eggplant Parmigiana Heros image

Provided by Ian Knauer

Categories     Bread     Sandwich     Garlic     Onion     Tomato     Vegetarian     Father's Day     Backyard BBQ     Lunch     Parmesan     Summer     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Healthy     Simmer     Gourmet     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 13

For tomato sauce:
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
For eggplant heros:
4 (6-inch) hero or hoagie rolls, split
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 (1-pound) eggplants
1/2 pound thinly sliced provolone or fresh mozzarella, divided
1 cup basil leaves, chopped

Steps:

  • Make tomato sauce:
  • Purée tomatoes in a blender until very smooth. Heat oil in a 3-to 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Sauté onion and garlic with red pepper flakes until golden, about 4 minutes. Add tomato purée, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.
  • Make sandwiches:
  • Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
  • Brush cut side of rolls with 1 tablespoon oil total.
  • Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of slices with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Oil grill rack, then grill eggplant (covered only if using a gas grill), loosening with a metal spatula and turning occasionally to avoid overbrowning, until very tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Top eggplant (still on grill) evenly with half of sliced cheese, then grill, covered, until cheese begins to melt, about 30 seconds. Transfer eggplant with spatula to a large tray.
  • Grill rolls (cut side only) until grill marks appear, about 1 minute, and transfer to tray.
  • Transfer grilled rolls to 4 plates and spoon about 3 tablespoons tomato sauce onto each bottom piece. Top with eggplant, making 2 layers. Add remaining sauce, then top with basil and remaining cheese and close sandwiches.

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

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts thin.
  • Be sure to dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture before cooking, as this will help to create a crispy crust.
  • Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat so that they cook evenly all the way through.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken breasts, or they will not cook evenly.
  • Top the chicken breasts with your favorite toppings, such as marinara sauce, cheese, and vegetables.

Conclusion:

Eggplant Parmesan heros are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of crispy eggplant, melted cheese, and flavorful marinara sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty meal, give this recipe a try.

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