Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella
Layers of tender baked eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese create a comforting Italian classic. This italian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 80 minutes pairs salt, divided olive oil, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 large (about 1 lb), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds eggplant
- 1 tbsp salt
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large, beaten eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large eggplant sliced into 1/2-inch rounds on a baking sheet, sprinkle evenly with 1 tbsp salt, and let rest for 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 400°F. Set up a dredging station with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 beaten large eggs, and 1 cup breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls.
- Step 3: Dip each eggplant slice first into flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry breaded eggplant slices in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, adding more oil as needed. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 5: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half the fried eggplant slices, then pour 1 cup marinara sauce over them. Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, and half the chopped basil.
- Step 6: Repeat layers with remaining eggplant, 1 cup marinara sauce, 3/4 cup mozzarella, 2 tbsp Parmesan, and remaining basil. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil on top and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (45 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan with Mozzarella vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
