This dish is about as 100% Italian-American comfort food as you will find. This is one of those ‘spend-a-few-hours-in-the-kitchen-on-a-Saturday-afternoon’ dishes, but, boy, oh by, is it truly magical.
The eggplant makes the perfect vehicle for this baked dish of yumminess. The homemade marinara sauce puts it over the top. And it can also be made in advance, and then baked an hour or so before serving! I mean, come on…just look at this:
How to Make Eggplant Parmesan
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The Ingredients You Will Need
Although eggplant parmigiana (or parmesan) is vegetarian, it’s not the type of dish you’d probably want to consume every day for every meal. There is a lot of cheese and the eggplant is fried…but for that ‘special’ occasion dish, it can’t be beaten!
We start out with our classic homemade fresh marina. As with so many stellar Italian dishes, the quality of the dish comes down to the quality of the sauce.
Next, breading the eggplant slices and then quickly frying them makes the texture of the dish literally melt-in-your mouth good.
This fried eggplant parmesan recipe produces a dish that is so comforting and classic all at the same time.
We love using fresh mozzarella because it delicious and also melts beautifully.
You can easily purchase a block of fresh mozzarella and slice it yourself.
Or, you can use shredded. No matter what, you’re going to love the cheese results.
The Origins of the Dish
There is so much to love about eggplant parmesan. First, and foremost, of course, is the taste.
But you can easily make this in advance and then just simply stick it in the oven to bake prior to serving. It also freezes perfectly, too. Just let it thaw, and then bake and serve.
The recipe (Parmigiana di Melanzane, in Italian) has its roots firmly planted in Southern Italy and has been served for many, many generations. Learn more about its delicious origins here.
Other Classic Italian Recipes To Try
Eggplant Parmesan is one of our all-time favorite dishes, but here are some other classic recipes that you are absolutely going to love, too:
Eggplant Rollatini
Classic Meat Lasagna
Best-Ever Baked Ziti
Stuffed Manicotti
Italian Stuffed Shells
Chicken Parmesan
Shrimp Marinara
Pasta Carbonara
Penne alla Vodka
Want to make eggplant parm in your air fryer? Here’s a recipe that is truly amazing.
These are all classic and unbelievably delicious. But, in the meantime, isn’t this dish calling your name?
This is a dish that we feel confident will be one that goes into your regular rotation.
Warm, cheesy, and just so incredibly satisfying.
Folks…the time has come to make this classic baked Italian-American favorite!
Ready to make the best dish this side of Italy? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Authentic Eggplant Parmesan
Equipment
- 10"x10" baking dish, or 9"x13" baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil for frying, or heat your deep fryer
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley fresh, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 4 cups homemade marinara sauce
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese fresh, sliced, or grated
Instructions
- Prepare the marinara sauce (can be done up to 2 days in advance)
- Cut the ends off the eggplant and discard them. Cut each eggplant into 1/4-inch round slices and sprinkle salt over each of the rounds.
- Place in a colander for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Rinse eggplant rounds under cool water to remove salt. Dry with paper towels.
- Next, in a deep, heavy saucepan, heat the oil to 350°F, or heat your deep fryer to 350°F. (If you don't have a deep-frying thermometer, the oil will be hot enough when it creates a sheen, and a small piece of bread sizzles when tossed in the oil.)
- Meanwhile, spread the flour out on a large platter or in a pan.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs together with ½ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, the parsley, and the salt.
- Coat each slice of eggplant with flour and shake off excess.
- Dip the eggplant, a slice at a time, in the egg mixture and let any excess drip off.
- Fry the eggplant slices, 3 to 4 at a time, for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and tender.
- Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain and cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of a large baking dish.
- Arrange a layer of eggplant slices over the sauce (they can slightly overlap, if necessary).
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the eggplant.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of the mozzarella and a thin layer of Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat, layer the eggplant, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to top the pan.
- End with a layer of eggplant and about ¼ cup marinara sauce spread over the top of it.
- Sprinkle a good handful of Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce.
- Bake the eggplant for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
- Let the pan sit for 15 to 30 minutes until cool enough to serve.
- Cut into slices and serve with warm marinara sauce and grated Parmesan on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in June 2016, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in September 2023!
Decided – I’m gonna make this tomorrow morning (Sunday). Have all the ingredients. Will add a bit of oregano to the marinara.
I love the idea of the flour dusting and then egg dip. Never saw that before in other recipes! I love chicken francaise over spinach with lemon and white wine! So I think this will be awesome.
Awesome!!! We truly hope you love it and have great success with the dish! Be sure to let us know when you have a moment! Kris & Wesley
Really want to make this recipe. How much oil for frying the eggplant?
Hi Carol! So sorry for the delayed response! It depends on the size of the sturdy pot and skillet, or freyer that you’ll be frying them in. Best rule of thumb is at half way up the vessel for the oil. Don’t over fill the pan, because you don’t want the hot oil to overflow once you start to fry up the eggplant. Hopefully this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions and how it turns out!
You guys have an amazing handle on Italian food…Greek food…Mexican food…etc.! This is my favorite recipe website!
Have you tried, or had any luck with, preparing the eggplant in an air fryer? In my experience, frying in large amounts on the stove top results in kind of a mess. Just curious.
Hi Nancy! Sorry for the delayed response! Thank you so so much! That truly means the world to us! We actually have a recipe for air fryer eggplant parm and it’s one of our all-time favorite dishes for the air fryer. Let us know if you try it and how it turns out! Best, Kris 7 Wesley
I absolutely love eggplant parm could never get it right. This was by far the best I have made. Just delicious!
You just made our day! We are so so happy you loved the eggplant parm! Thank you for letting us know and for the GREAT review! That means the world to us! xoxo Kris & Wesley
I made this a few weeks ago for Family Dinner night. Omg it was a hit! Lots of work but totally worth it. I just got my first air fryer so I’m going to try using that for the eggplant frying. My son in law is a body builder so I made pasta to serve under it for him or he would have eaten the entire dish!
Amazing!! It is a little labor intensive, but, sounds like you made it perfectly! We are thrilled you had success and the family enjoyed it. Congratulations and thank you so so much for letting us know and for the great review! Keep on cookin’ and stay in touch!!
Best eggplant parmesan recipe ever. Family that thought they didn’t like eggplant, loved it!!
Hi Lorraine! This makes us so happy! Isn’t it true? We have family members who swore up and down they would never like anything with eggplant in it…and then we served this. Boy, did they change their tune! LOL! So so happy you had success with the recipe and thank YOU SO much for sharing and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Thank you both, for this wonderful, authentic slice of delicious heaven! I have made this so many times and use my homemade, favorite sauce! It’s always a hit and my kids and family want the recipe, Shhhh!
That is music to our ears, Kristin! We are THRILLED you and the family are enjoying the eggplant parm recipe! Shh!!!! LOL!! xoxo
Can’t wait to try this! Do you have a book out yet!
Hi Shirley! We hope you love it and please keep up posted! We’re working on a cookbook! It’s a slow, arduous process, but we’re working on it! Thank you for your support! That means so much to us! Kris & Wesley
I have made this recipe several times for my family, friends and neighbours. They love it and we love it. It always taste the best with our home grown eggplant from our garden. I also love watching your prep video. Thank you for sharing.
Mary-Lou from Canada
Hi, Mary-Lou from Canada! (We LOVE Canada, btw!). We are so so thrilled you are having such great success with the eggplant parm recipe! And woo! With homegrown eggplant must be AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. That truly means the world to us! All the best, Kris & Wesley
I have a quick question. Do I coat the eggplant slices back with the flour after dipping it in the egg mixture before frying them?
Hi Roberto, no need to add the slices back into the flour after dipping them in the egg mixture. They’re ready for a quick flash fry at this point! Let us know if you have any other questions and how it turns out!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Super excited to try this! We are overrun with eggplants from our garden this year. Could the eggplant be fried in extra virgin olive oil?
Hi Teresa!! We think you’ll love it, especially with home grown eggplant!! Sure, you can fry them with EVOO! That will work just fine. Let us know how it turns out and what you think of it! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Made your recipe for sauce last night and made your recipe for eggplant parm today. We had it for dinner tonight and I was a bit leary because every recipe I’ve ever tried uses breadcrumbs, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it! I thought it was crispier and lighter and you could really taste the flavor of the eggplant!! It was not greasy at all and didn’t get soggy! Love it and will be making again…Thank you
Hi Diane!! That is so wonderful to hear! We are thrilled you enjoyed the eggplant parm recipe! We really love the texture, too. Thank you again so much for letting us know!!! Stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
I have only one question…do you have a cookbook?
Made the fresh marinara sauce Thursday afternoon.
Prepped the eggplant Parmigiana yesterday…hummm…made a nice mess so I decided if this was not the most incredible eggplant I wouldn’t repeat the recipe. And I love to cook but the recipe was different than what I was raised in. (100% Italian)
First bite…heaven in a 9×13…absolutely delicious. The buttery flavor of the eggplant compares to no other recipe. Thank you the great recipe!!!! My printer is working overtime this afternoon.
Hi Mary! We take that as a HUGE compliment coming from you!! We are so thrilled you enjoyed the eggplant parm and thank you so so much for letting us know! And…we’re in discussions with a publisher on starting a cookbook! Coming soon!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Hi there! I’ve made this exact recipe many times now and love it— it’s my go-to when I want to make a good impression! I wanted to ask- can I freeze it? It wouldn’t be frozen long, but I wasn’t sure if I should assemble it all, freeze it and then bake it later? Or bake it a little then freeze?
Hi Taylor!! That is so awesome! We are thrilled you love our eggplant parm recipe! It’s one of our all-time favorites for sure! Regarding freezing it, you could really go either way. But for freshest taste and texture, we’d recommend putting the dish together without baking it. Cover it tightly with foil and freeze. Let thaw before baking and then bake as you normally would. If you do bake and then freeze, just let come to room temp and then cover and bake until hot through, about 20 to 30 minutes at 350F. Hope this helps!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Happy Quarantine Thursday! I’m making this NOW…like, legit, I just assembled it…BUT, I have a question. Do I bake it covered or uncovered? I’m sure someone asked this already but if I’m being honest, I’m too lazy to lookn thanks so much in advance. ~Jo
Hi Jo! Not sure if you got my response. No need to cover! Just keep an eye on it, and if it’s starting to get a little too brown on the top, throw on a foil tent. Let us know how it turns out!!
I have been craving this dish. I came across your recipe, and can’t wait to get to the store tomorrow and buy the ingredients. It looks superb, my mouth is watering. I loved the great tips on draining off excess liquid from the eggplant prior to breading it, and frying. I liked the breading process, as bread crumbs are too heavy for my tastes. I know I will love it. As my aunt always used to say, ” It has to be good, it has all good things in it!” Thank you for sharing, for now I feel more confident in making it! Jill
Hi Jill! This is hands-down one of our favorite dishes to make! Let us know if you have any questions! And please do let us know how it turns out!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
My husband and I made this recipe yesterday, followed it exactly, and it turned out perfectly. We’re vegetarian and are always adding new vegetables, never been fans of eggplant, though that has definitely changed with this recipe! Thank you so much for the video too, helped in assembly!
Hi Arlene!! We are SO TRHILLED to hear that you had success with the eggplant parm!! Wesley was not a big fan of eggplant, either…until I made him this eggplant parm…now he can’t get enough of it! So glad you found the video helpful, too!! And thank you so very much for taking the time to let us know. That truly means the world to us!! Stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Looks delicious !! I want to try but I need a dish that can be prepared the night before . Would this dish work if I reheated the next day?
Hi Rebekah! You can make the dish the night before and then bake the next day before serving. It’s often even better that way! Allows the flavors to meld. Let us know how it turns out and what everyone thinks!! And don’t hesitate to ask any questions! We’re here to help! Best, Kris & Wesley