Crispy Parmesan Eggplant Bake
Indulge in the mouthwatering flavors of our Crispy Parmesan Eggplant Bake! This delightful dish features layers of golden-brown, breadcrumb-coated eggplant, richly complemented by a zesty low-fat tomato sauce and a blend of cheeses. Perfect for those who adore eggplant but are mindful of their caloric intake, this recipe proves that healthy eating can be indulgent too. Each serving is packed with taste while remaining low in calories, making it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends and family!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Plain breadcrumbs
1 cup (No preparation needed, simply measure out.)
Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (Freshly grated.)
Dry basil
2 teaspoons (No preparation needed.)
Egg whites
4 (Lightly beaten with salt.)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (Used with egg whites.)
Eggplants
2 lbs (Sliced crossways into 8 slices.)
Lite olive oil cooking spray
as needed (For spraying onto baking sheets and eggplant slices.)
Low fat tomato-based pasta sauce
3 cups (Ready-made or homemade.)
Part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup (Grated (approx. 4 oz).)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (Chopped.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
In a medium bowl, combine the plain breadcrumbs, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and dry basil. Mix until well combined.
3
Prepare the eggplant by slicing it crosswise into 8 even slices. Lightly salt the slices and let them drain on paper towels for about 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
4
In another bowl, lightly beat the egg whites with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
5
Dip each eggplant slice into the egg white mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, transfer it to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good crust forms. Repeat for all slices.
6
Spray a baking sheet with lite olive oil cooking spray and arrange the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops of the slices with more cooking spray.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Carefully flip each slice, spray the other side with cooking spray, and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the low-fat tomato-based pasta sauce evenly on the bottom.
9
Layer half of the baked eggplant slices on top of the sauce, followed by another cup of sauce and half of the grated part-skim mozzarella cheese.
10
Repeat the layering with the remaining eggplant, sauce, and cheese.
11
Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top before baking.
12
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Parmesan Eggplant Bake?
It is a healthy, vegetarian dish featuring breaded eggplant slices layered with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked until bubbly.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
You should preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How do I prepare the breading mixture?
Combine one cup of plain breadcrumbs with 1/3 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese and two teaspoons of dry basil.
How should the eggplant be sliced?
The eggplant should be sliced crosswise into eight even slices.
Why do I need to salt the eggplant slices?
Salting the eggplant for 15 minutes helps draw out excess moisture, ensuring the slices become crispy rather than soggy when baked.
What is used as the binding agent for the breading?
The recipe uses four egg whites lightly beaten with half a teaspoon of salt.
How do I coat the eggplant?
Dip each slice into the beaten egg whites first, then transfer it to the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to form a crust.
Do I need to use oil for baking?
The recipe calls for lite olive oil cooking spray to coat the baking sheet and the tops of the eggplant slices.
How long do the eggplant slices bake initially?
Bake the slices for 15 minutes, then flip them and bake for another 15 minutes until they are golden brown.
What size baking dish is needed?
You will need a 9x13-inch baking dish for the final assembly and baking.
How much tomato sauce is used in the dish?
The recipe requires a total of three cups of low-fat tomato-based pasta sauce.
How do I start the layering process?
Begin by spreading one cup of the pasta sauce evenly across the bottom of the 9x13-inch baking dish.
What is the order of the layers?
The layers consist of sauce, then eggplant slices, followed by more sauce and a layer of mozzarella cheese.
How many layers of eggplant are there?
There are two layers of eggplant slices, each topped with sauce and cheese.
What kind of mozzarella should I use?
The recipe specifies one cup of grated part-skim mozzarella cheese.
What garnish is added before the final bake?
Two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley are sprinkled over the top of the dish.
How long is the final baking period?
The assembled dish should bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-calorie diet?
Yes, it is designed for those mindful of caloric intake by using egg whites, low-fat sauce, and part-skim cheese.
Can I use regular olive oil instead of spray?
While you can use oil, the cooking spray helps keep the calorie count lower while still promoting crispiness.
Is the parmesan cheese used in the sauce?
No, the parmesan cheese is mixed into the breadcrumb coating for the eggplant slices.
How much eggplant do I need to buy?
You will need approximately two pounds of eggplant for this recipe.
Is this dish gluten-free?
As written, it contains plain breadcrumbs; you would need to substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make it gluten-free.
What makes the eggplant crispy?
The combination of breadcrumbs, parmesan, and pre-baking the slices with cooking spray at a high temperature creates the crispiness.
Can I use whole eggs instead of egg whites?
The recipe specifically calls for egg whites to keep the dish lighter, but whole eggs could be used if desired.
What type of pasta sauce works best?
A zesty, low-fat tomato-based pasta sauce is recommended to complement the flavors.
How do I prevent the eggplant from being bitter?
The 15-minute salting and draining process helps remove bitterness from the eggplant.
Does the recipe include fresh basil?
The recipe uses dry basil in the breading and fresh parsley as a garnish.
Can this be served as a side dish?
Yes, it works well as both a main vegetarian course or a satisfying side dish.
How many servings does this make?
While not explicitly stated, the use of two pounds of eggplant typically serves four to six people.
Is this an Italian-style recipe?
Yes, it is inspired by Italian flavors like basil, parmesan, mozzarella, and tomato sauce.