Description
Create beautiful and hearty Eggplant Parmesan Stacks. This meatless dish layers tender eggplant with rich tomato sauce and melted cheese for a comforting Italian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggplants
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups plain breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil for frying
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- Place the eggplant slices on a rack and sprinkle both sides with salt. Let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat them very dry with paper towels.
- Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with 1/2 cup Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Dredge each eggplant slice first in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat about 1/4 inch of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the breaded eggplant in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Create stacks by layering one eggplant slice, a spoonful of marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers if desired, ending with mozzarella.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the stacks rest for a few minutes before topping with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.
Notes
- Drying the eggplant well prevents the final stacks from becoming soggy.
- You can bake the eggplant instead of frying for a lighter version; spray both sides with oil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Use your favorite high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking and Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stacks
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg