Description
A classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring layers of crispy breaded eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season eggplant slices with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry eggplant in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the baking dish. Arrange a layer of fried eggplant over the sauce.
- Top with more marinara sauce, a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and some basil. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.