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Breaded eggplant slices tomato sauce mozzarella baked bubbly.

Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

Breaded eggplant slices tomato sauce mozzarella baked bubbly. Classic Italian main, ready 60 minutes.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Salt rinse Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Eggplant
  • 2 large eggplants 3 lb total
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup olive oil frying
Tomato Sauce
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp salt
Cheese Layers
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • Fresh basil leaves

Equipment

  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • 3 shallow bowls
  • All-Clad skillet
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Tongs
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

  1. Trim ends 2 eggplants chef's knife cutting board. Slice ¼-inch rounds even. Sprinkle 2 tsp salt both sides rack 30 minutes sweat beads draw. Rinse pat dry paper towels.
  2. 3 shallow bowls: flour bowl one, whisk 3 eggs bowl two, mix 2 cups panko 1 cup parmesan bowl three spoon. Dip slices flour shake, egg coat fork, press panko thick tongs. Plate ready.
  3. All-Clad skillet medium heat ¼ cup olive oil shimmer. Fry 4-5 slices tongs 2 minutes per side golden crisp. Drain rack paper towels. Add oil batches repeat all.
  4. Preheat 375°F. Spoon 1 cup sauce 9x13 baking dish. Layer eggplant sauce mozzarella parmesan repeat 3 layers. Top mozzarella parmesan. Bake 25 minutes bubbly golden. Basil garnish.

Notes

  • ¼-inch slices 30 min salt rinse key: draws bitter water crisps breading no soggy sponge. Dry thorough post-rinse oil clings fry snaps.
  • Shallow All-Clad 2 min gold per side max crisp min grease; deep pools sogs. Rack drain 5 min post-fry steams off excess no pool bake.
  • Sauce light layers prevents mush; simmer garlic oregano 10 min blooms base before layer. Fresh mozz shreds melt stretchy vs pre-shred rubber.
  • Rest 10 min post-bake slices clean no slide; parm panko crust seals eggplant juices tender. Sub ricotta layer creamy lasagna twist.