Savory Eggplant Parmesan Bake
Indulge in a delightful twist on the classic Italian dish with this Savory Eggplant Parmesan Bake. Layered with crisp, golden-brown eggplant slices coated in a rich breadcrumb and Parmesan crust, this recipe is a feast for the senses. The eggplant, perfectly complemented by a homemade tomato sauce infused with caramelized onions and savory spices, brings a depth of flavor that will impress vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Topped with a generous layer of gooey mozzarella cheese, this dish is baked to perfection, creating a comforting meal that’s ideal for family dinners or special occasions. Join us in savoring what has quickly become a favorite in our household!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
large eggplant
1 (sliced about 1/3 inch thick)
oil
1/2 cup (for frying)
large eggs
2 (beaten)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated)
dry breadcrumbs or crushed saltine
1 cup (for breading)
medium onion
1 (diced)
salt
1 tablespoon (to season)
pepper
1.5 teaspoons (to season)
sugar
1/2 cup (to balance acidity)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (for the sauce)
hot water
3 cups (to create sauce)
mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 lb (shredded)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the eggplant: slice it into 1/3 inch thick pieces. Lightly sprinkle salt over the slices and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
2
In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese together.
3
Dip each eggplant slice into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
4
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the breaded eggplant in batches, frying until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the fried eggplant to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
5
In the same skillet, using the remaining oil, add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
6
Stir in the tomato paste, hot water, sugar, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7
In a 9x13 baking dish, pour a third of the sauce to cover the bottom. Layer half of the fried eggplant slices over the sauce, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Spoon another third of the sauce over the cheese.
8
Repeat the layering process with the remaining eggplant, another third of the cheese, and the final third of the sauce. Top with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
9
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1.5 hours. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
10
Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your hearty and delicious Eggplant Parmesan Bake!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient in the Savory Eggplant Parmesan Bake?
The main ingredient is a large eggplant, sliced into 1/3 inch thick pieces.
How thick should I slice the eggplant for this recipe?
You should slice the eggplant into 1/3 inch thick pieces for the best texture.
Why do I need to salt the eggplant before cooking?
Salting the eggplant draws out excess moisture, which helps the slices become crisp and prevents the dish from being soggy.
How long should the salted eggplant slices sit?
The eggplant slices should sit with salt for about 30 minutes before rinsing.
What do I do after the eggplant has sat with salt for 30 minutes?
Rinse the slices and pat them dry with paper towels to remove the salt and moisture.
What is used for the breading mixture?
The breading is a mixture of breadcrumbs (or crushed saltines) and grated Parmesan cheese.
How do I coat the eggplant slices for frying?
Dip each slice into beaten eggs and then dredge it in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
How much oil is required for frying the eggplant?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of oil for frying the eggplant slices.
How long should I fry each eggplant slice?
Fry the breaded eggplant in batches for approximately 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
What should I do with the eggplant after frying?
Transfer the fried eggplant to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
How do I prepare the sauce for this eggplant bake?
Sauté diced onion until soft, then stir in tomato paste, hot water, sugar, salt, and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes.
Why is sugar added to the tomato sauce?
Sugar is added to the sauce to balance the acidity of the tomato paste.
What type of cheese is used for the layers?
The recipe uses shredded mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, along with Parmesan.
What size baking dish is needed for this recipe?
A 9x13 baking dish is recommended for layering the eggplant parmesan.
How do I layer the Savory Eggplant Parmesan Bake?
Layer sauce on the bottom, followed by fried eggplant and mozzarella cheese, then repeat the process twice more.
How many layers of eggplant are in the dish?
The dish consists of two main layers of eggplant separated by sauce and cheese.
At what temperature should the eggplant parmesan be baked?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the dish need to bake while covered?
The dish should be covered with aluminum foil and baked for 1.5 hours.
Do I need to bake the dish uncovered at any point?
Yes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Can I use saltines instead of breadcrumbs?
Yes, crushed saltine crackers are a great alternative to dry breadcrumbs for the breading.
What type of onion should I use for the sauce?
One medium onion, diced, is used to flavor the homemade sauce.
How much tomato paste is needed for the recipe?
You will need two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
Is this Eggplant Parmesan Bake vegetarian?
Yes, this is a vegetarian dish that serves as a hearty meatless meal.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 lb of shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese.
How many eggs are used for the breading process?
Two large eggs are beaten and used to coat the eggplant.
Can I add extra Parmesan cheese on top?
Yes, you can top the final layer with additional Parmesan cheese if desired before baking.
How much hot water is added to the sauce?
Three cups of hot water are mixed with the tomato paste to create the sauce.
What spices are used to season the dish?
The sauce is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1.5 teaspoons of pepper.
Should I let the bake cool before serving?
Yes, letting it cool for a few minutes after baking makes it easier to slice and serve.
What makes this version of eggplant parmesan different?
This version features a long baking time to meld flavors and a sauce made from tomato paste and caramelized onions.