Best Not Too Saucy Eggplant Parmesan Recipes

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA (PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan).
• Line three trays: Line three large trays with baking / parchment paper.
• Brush eggplant with oil: Brush eggplant slices on each side with oil.
• Bake 35 minutes: Arrange eggplant in a single layer on the trays and bake for about 35 - 45 mins or until browning and tender, turning the eggplant halfway. I put the trays on the top shelf, in the middle, then I put one tray on the floor of the oven. As each tray finishes, I remove the tray and move the others up.
• Cool: Remove from oven, leave on trays to cool.
• Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 3 minutes until softened and just about to colour on the edges.
• Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the passata , canned tomatoes, water, oregano and sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer 30 minutes: Simmer uncovered for about 30 - 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened, adding the basil stalks halfway through cooking (so they don't lose their flavour).
• The final consistency should be slightly thicker than a pasta sauce so it's spreadable and not leaching liquid, but not too pasty either. Add extra water a little at a time if required during cooking if it gets too thick. Remove the basil stalks and discard.
• Season: Stir in salt and pepper. (Remember, we get salt from the parmesan too, so no need to go overboard here)
• Reduce oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan).
• Smear a little tomato sauce in the bottom of baking dish, 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" (or thereabouts).
• Layer 1: Lay one third of the eggplant so it covers the base (some overlap is OK when layering eggplant). Spread 1/3 of the remaining sugo over eggplant. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the parmesan, and 1/3 of basil leaves.
• Layer 2: Repeat another 1/3 each of eggplant, tomato sauce, olive oil, basil and parmesan.
• Layer 3 (top layer): Repeat again with remaining eggplant, tomato sauce and some olive oil. Do not put basil on top layer (we will garnish after baking). Scatter with remaining parmesan, then all the mozzarella.
• Bake for 25 mins until bubbling and golden.
• Rest: Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes (easier to slice neatly). Scatter over remaining fresh basil leaves. Cut like lasagna and serve! (Optional: sprinkle with extra parmesan).

EGGPLANT-PARMESAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak 1 pound cubed eggplant in warm salted water, about 15 minutes, then drain and squeeze dry. Season 1 cup flour with salt and pepper in a bowl. Beat 2 eggs with 1/2 cup milk in another bowl. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup grated parmesan in a third bowl. Dip the eggplant in the seasoned flour, the egg and then the flour-cheese mixture. Fry in 1/4 inch olive oil over medium-high heat until golden; drain on paper towels. Mix with 4 cups Perfect Marinara Sauce, recipe follows. Toss with rigatoni.
• Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and a pinch of red pepper flakes in a large skillet and cook over medium-low heat until the garlic is golden, about 6 minutes. Crush a 28-ounce can of San Marzano plum tomatoes into the skillet with your hands; rinse the can with about 1 cup water and add to the sauce. Add a handful of torn basil leaves and season with salt. Increase the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until thick, 20 to 25 minutes. Toss with 1 pound cooked pasta (makes 4 cups sauce).

EGGPLANT PARMESAN II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
• In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
• Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

NOT TOO SAUCY EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat 2 eggs in a bowl. Pour bread crumbs onto a plate. Dip sliced eggplant into beaten eggs; coat with bread crumbs.
• Heat oil in a skillet over low heat. Increase heat to medium; place eggplant in skillet. Cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side.
• Combine remaining egg, ricotta cheese, spinach, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.
• Place eggplant slices in a single layer in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture onto each eggplant slice; top each slice with 2 tablespoons pasta sauce. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over each eggplant slice; cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH EASY HOMEMADE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease an 8x14-inch baking dish.
• Mix seasoned bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes in a shallow bowl. Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and press into bread crumb mixture to coat. Lay slices onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until browned and tender, about 15 minutes. Remove eggplant and reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Whisk tomato paste and water in a saucepan, place over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Stir in basil, oregano, parsley, garlic, brown sugar, sea salt, and black pepper.
• Place eggplant slices into prepared baking dish, overlapping the slices. Spoon tomato sauce over eggplant and top with mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. If desired, broil for 1 to 2 more minutes to give the cheese topping a golden color. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.