Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant parmesan is Italian comfort food at its best.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated March 24, 2024
Elise Bauer

Eggplant Parmesan is one of those great Italian comfort foods—a layered casserole much like lasagna but with slices of globe eggplant taking the place of pasta.

The two things to keep in mind when cooking eggplant, especially firm globe eggplants, is that not only do eggplants hold onto moisture, they also absorb oil like a sponge. So if you're not careful you can end up with something mushy and oily.

A baked eggplant parmesan in a white casserole dish.

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

For Easy Eggplant Parmesan, Salt and Bake Your Eggplant

To deal with the oil absorption issue, instead of frying the breaded eggplant slices, we bake them in the oven, before assembling the casserole to be baked again.

A slice of eggplant parmesan on a white plate

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

In this recipe, to tackle the first challenge we lightly salt the raw eggplant slices and let them sit out for a while. The salt helps draw moisture out of the eggplant.

The result? Wonderful! Cheesy, tomato-y eggplant parmesan that doesn't weigh you down with too much water or oil.

Note: I've recently updated the recipe to include more sauce (May 12, 2021). The original recipe calls for only one 28-ounce can of tomatoes; I've since doubled the sauce recipe to include two 28-ounce cans of tomatoes.

A slice of eggplant parmesan on a plate with the tray behind it.

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Recipe Variations

Try one or more of these simple tweaks for a more flavorful sauce:

  • Add up to 3 additional minced garlic cloves.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano or 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh oregano.
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes or more to taste.

Make-Ahead Tips for Eggplant Parmesan

There are two ways to make this ahead.

  • Bake the casserole the day before, cool it, then cover and refrigerate. To serve, bake it again at 350°F until hot in the center and bubbling at the edges. You can also freeze the baked casserole up to 3 months, defrost in the refrigerator, and then bake for serving.
  • Assemble the casserole the day before serving as described in Steps 1 through 7 (skip preheating the oven), but don't bake it. Cover and refrigerate. An hour before baking, take it out of the refrigerator, preheat the oven, and bake as directed in Step 8.

Storing the Leftovers

Like many good casseroles, eggplant Parmesan makes great leftovers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in a microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven.

Try These Eggplant Recipes!

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Eggplant Parmesan

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 70 mins
Eggplant Prep 60 mins
Total Time 3 hrs 10 mins
Servings 8 servings

This recipe makes 6 cups of homemade marinara sauce. If you’d like to use your own recipe or store-bought sauce, you’ll need the same amount (48 ounces).

Inspired by a recipe in the New York Times by chef Gabrielle Hamilton, recounting a recipe from her Italian ex-mother-in-law.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 pounds globe eggplant (about 2 large)

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided, plus more to oil the sheet pans

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) diced, reserving the juices, or crushed tomatoes

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil, packed

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups breadcrumbs

  • 1 1/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 4 large eggs, beaten (more if needed)

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch slices

Method

  1. Prepare the eggplant:

    Slice the eggplants into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick rounds. Lay the eggplant slices out on a rack over a rimmed sheet pan (or on several layers of paper towels).

    Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant rounds lightly with salt. Let the eggplant rounds sit and release moisture for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.

    Sprinkling sliced eggplant with salt to make eggplant parmesan.

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  2. Make the sauce:

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan on medium heat. Add the minced garlic and gently cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.

    Add the tomatoes and their juices, breaking up the tomatoes as you add them to the pot. Increase the heat to bring to a simmer, then lower the heat to maintain a very low simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the minced basil and remove from heat.

    Tip:

    If you’d like to use your own sauce recipe or store-bought sauce, measure out 6 cups and set aside.

    Garlic cooking in oil in a pan

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Tomato sauce simmering in a dutch oven

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  3. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

    Place the oven rack in the middle.

  4. Prepare a dredging station:

    Combine 1 1/2 cups of the breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and place in a shallow bowl or rimmed dish.

    Set up your station so that you have flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in another bowl, and the breadcrumb cheese mixture in another, in that order.

    Breading station with a flour plate, egg wash plate, and breading plate lined up

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  5. Dredge the eggplant rounds:

    Set out two rimmed sheet pans. Spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of each pan.

    The eggplant rounds should be wet from releasing moisture after salting them. Pat the eggplant slices dry with paper towels.

    Working one at a time, dredge the eggplant slices first in the flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and then dredge in the breadcrumb Parmesan cheese mixture. Add more breadcrumbs, if needed.

    Place on the oiled sheet pans in a single layer. Drizzle a little oil over the top of each breaded eggplant round.

    Dipping a sliced eggplant in flour

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Dipping a floured eggplant slice in an egg wash

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Dipping a sliced egg plant in breadcrumbs

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Drizzling oil over breaded eggplant on a baking dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  6. Bake the eggplant rounds:

    Place breaded prepared eggplant slices in the oven. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes at 425°F, turning the slices over at the halfway point, until they are nicely browned and fork-tender. Remove from oven, and let cool to touch.

    Removing baking sheets with egg plant from an oven

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  7. Assemble the casserole:

    Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Place a third of the eggplant rounds in a single layer covering the sauce on the bottom of the pan.

    Layer half of the sliced mozzarella on top of the eggplant rounds. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese.

    Place another third of the eggplant rounds over the cheese. Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the eggplant rounds. Layer the rest of the sliced mozzarella over the sauce. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of shredded Parm.

    Add the remaining eggplant in a single layer on top of the cheese. Top with the remaining sauce and the remaining Parmesan.

    Adding baked eggplant to a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Topping eggplant with fresh slices of mozzarella in a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Adding tomato sauce to a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
    Eggplant parmesan in a casserole dish ready for the oven.

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
  8. Bake, rest, and serve:

    Reduce the oven to 350°F and bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly around the edges, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into to serve.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

    A finished, baked eggplant parmesan in a white casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
600 Calories
30g Fat
53g Carbs
31g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 600
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 30g 39%
Saturated Fat 13g 67%
Cholesterol 157mg 52%
Sodium 1087mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 7g 26%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 30mg 148%
Calcium 605mg 47%
Iron 4mg 22%
Potassium 807mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.