Serious Eggplant Parmesan
A rich, layered dish of breaded eggplant topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese, embodying the depth of Mediterranean flavors. This mediterranean (mediterranean) ready in about 60 minutes pairs (medium, sliced) eggplant, breadcrumbs, (grated) parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 2 (medium, sliced) eggplant
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (grated) parmesan cheese
- 1 (beaten) egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup (shredded) mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (fresh, chopped) basil leaves
- 1/4 cup (sliced) olives
- 1/4 cup (thinly sliced) red onion
- 1/2 cup (uncooked) rice
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté eggplant slices for 3-4 minutes per side until golden, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Step 3: Spread tomato sauce over the eggplant, sprinkle with garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Top with mozzarella and basil.
- Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. While baking, cook rice in boiling water for 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 5: Serve eggplant Parmesan with a side of steamed rice and garnish with olives and red onion.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Eggplant Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 Serious 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 (medium, sliced) eggplant from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious 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 Serious 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.
What goes well with Serious Eggplant Parmesan?
Mediterranean mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
