Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan: A Flavorful Veggie Recipe for a Healthy Italian-Inspired Dish

Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan: A Flavorful Veggie Recipe for a Healthy Italian-Inspired Dish

Are you looking for a delicious and healthy Italian-inspired dish? Try this Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe that is sure to satisfy your taste buds while keeping things light and nutritious. This vegetarian twist on the classic eggplant parmesan is baked to crispy perfection, making it a guilt-free indulgence for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or Italian seasoned)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Season the eggplant slices with salt and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. In a shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese. Dip each eggplant slice into beaten eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Place the coated eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet and spray them lightly with olive oil cooking spray.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the eggplant is golden and crispy.
6. Remove the eggplant from the oven and top each slice with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and chopped basil.
7. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve the crispy baked eggplant Parmesan hot, garnished with extra basil if desired.

Cooking Tips:

• For extra crispiness, you can broil the eggplant slices for the last 1-2 minutes of baking.
• Feel free to customize your toppings with additional ingredients like sliced olives, red pepper flakes, or chopped fresh parsley.

Duration:

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Serving Size:

This recipe serves 4 people.

Nutritional Information:

Calories per serving: 280 kcal

Carbohydrates: 28g

Protein: 14g

Fat: 13g

Fiber: 6g

Difficulty Level:

Easy

Tags:

Vegetarian, Italian, Baked, Healthy, Gluten-Free Option

Keywords:

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Enjoy this crispy baked eggplant parmesan as a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to add more veggies to your diet, this dish is sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. Buon appetito!