Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane)
Parmigiana di melanzane, a beloved southern Italian classic: tender eggplant slices, a basil tomato sauce, melting mozzarella and parmesan, layered and baked until golden and bubbling. A generous, comforting vegetarian dish that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 1 kg eggplant
- 700 g tomato sauce (or homemade passata)
- 250 g mozzarella
- 80 g grated parmesan
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- A few fresh basil leaves
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper
Method
- 1Slice the eggplant 1 cm thick, salt and leave to drain 20 min, then pat dry.
- 2Soften the chopped onion and garlic in olive oil, add the tomato sauce and basil, simmer 15 min; season.
- 3Grill the eggplant slices in a pan or oven (200 °C) with a little oil until tender and golden.
- 4In a dish, layer eggplant, tomato sauce, torn mozzarella and parmesan.
- 5Finish with sauce and parmesan.
- 6Bake at 180 °C for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- 7Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & tricks
- Salting the eggplant reduces bitterness and oil absorption.
- Grilling instead of frying makes the dish much lighter.
- Resting lets you cut clean portions.
Variations
- Add a layer of ham or extra basil between the layers.
- Quick version: oven-roast the eggplant instead of pan-frying.
Storage
Up to 3 days refrigerated; reheats beautifully in the oven. Freezes well.
Nutrition (per serving)
Ingredient substitutions
- Parmesan : nutritional yeast or another hard cheese.
What to serve it with
- A dressed green salad
- Fresh bread or a starchy side
- Roasted seasonal vegetables
- A wine matched to the dish (to taste)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make "Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane)"?
Allow about 30 min of prep and 45 min of cooking, i.e. 1 h 15 min in total for 4 servings.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Its difficulty is "Medium". Following the steps in order and our tips, it stays accessible.
Can I make "Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane)" ahead and store it?
Up to 3 days refrigerated; reheats beautifully in the oven. Freezes well.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The quantities are for 4 servings. To adjust, simply multiply or divide the ingredients by the number of guests.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, "Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane)" is vegetarian: it contains no meat or fish.
How many calories per serving?
One serving provides about 380 kcal, including 18 g of protein, 22 g of carbs and 24 g of fat.
