Description
A delightful and comforting dish featuring layers of roasted eggplant, marinara sauce, and melty cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the eggplants into 1/2 inch thick rounds.
- Sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, another with beaten eggs, and a third with breadcrumbs.
- Coat each eggplant slice in flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by coating it with breadcrumbs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. You can bake them for a healthier option.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a baking dish.
- Layer half of the fried eggplant slices over the sauce.
- Spoon half of the remaining marinara sauce over the eggplant.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices, sauce, and cheese, creating a final layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
Consider making your own marinara sauce for richer flavor. Be generous with the layers for a heartier dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg