Heavenly Egg Plant
Heavenly Eggplant is a comforting baked dish featuring crispy eggplant slices layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and rich spaghetti sauce. Flavored with Italian herbs and Parmesan, it's perfect for a hearty vegetarian meal or family dinner, offering a delightful combination of crispy, cheesy, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch thick round slices.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl.
- Dip each eggplant slice in beaten eggs, then coat in bread crumbs, shaking off excess.
- Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Saute eggplant slices until light brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
- Drain eggplant on paper towels.
- Add more oil as needed and cook remaining eggplant slices the same way.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a baking dish, layer the cooked eggplant slices.
- Cover the eggplant layers with ricotta cheese, spaghetti sauce, mozzarella slices, Italian herb seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or chopped fresh herbs to the ricotta mixture. If you prefer a lighter dish, you can substitute the ricotta cheese with a lower-fat option or Greek yogurt. If you don't have Italian style bread crumbs, you can crush plain bread or use panko for a crunchier texture. Make sure to salt the eggplant slices before cooking to reduce bitterness.
Serving Suggestions
This Heavenly Egg Plant pairs beautifully with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. Consider serving it alongside a bowl of Pasta A Olio for a delightful Italian feast. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving to add color and freshness. It also makes a great filling for sandwiches the next day!
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the dish in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven method will help maintain the texture of the eggplant.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Heavenly Egg Plant contains roughly 438 calories, with 10g protein, 36g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the eggplant and layer the ingredients in the baking dish ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
What can I use instead of mozzarella cheese?
If you're looking for alternatives to mozzarella, you can use provolone or gouda for a different flavor. For a dairy-free option, try vegan cheese shreds that melt well. Keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly with different cheeses.
How do I know when the eggplant is cooked properly?
The eggplant slices should be golden brown and tender when cooked. If they are overly soft, they may become mushy in the final dish. Aim for a nice light brown color and test doneness with a fork; it should pierce easily but still hold its shape.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).