Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan
A crispy, golden eggplant dish with a creamy tomato sauce and melted cheese, inspired by the 'Popular' brand's focus on accessible, high-quality ingredients. This mediterranean-inspired mediterranean (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds eggplant
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place eggplant slices on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes until tender and slightly crispy.
- Step 2: In a shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs and parmesan. Dip each eggplant slice into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
- Step 3: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Arrange coated eggplant slices in a single layer on the skillet. Pour sauce over the top, ensuring each slice is coated. Bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving, optionally with a side of garlic bread or a green salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 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 Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan?
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 breadcrumbs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan?
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 Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan 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 Popular Banker's Eggplant Parmesan 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
