Best 7 Eggplant Parmesan With Fresh Basil And Smoked Mozzarella Recipes

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Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. This recipe for Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella is a delicious twist on the traditional dish. The fresh basil adds a bright, herbaceous flavor, while the smoked mozzarella adds a rich, smoky flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party or potluck.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella image

The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.

Provided by lindseytr0n

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large unpeeled purple eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or as needed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, or more as needed
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce (such as De Cecco®)
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) package smoked mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Mozzarella image

Removing all but a strip of the eggplant's skin lets the flesh meld with the sauce without falling apart.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     Side     Kid-Friendly     Dinner     Lunch     Mozzarella     Parmesan     Eggplant     Fall     Winter     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher     Cheese Week     Small Plates

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, finely chopped
10 garlic cloves, 2 finely chopped, 8 whole
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
4 medium or 8 small eggplants (about 4 pounds), halved lengthwise
8 sprigs oregano
1 1/4 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into bite-size pieces
3 ounces Parmesan, finely grated (about 3/4 cup)

Steps:

  • Heat 1/4 cup oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 6-8 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until beginning to darken, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you add them; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, mashing tomatoes occasionally, until slightly thickened, 15-20 minutes. Set tomato sauce aside.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a vegetable peeler, remove skin from rounded side of each eggplant half, leaving a 1" strip of skin around the cut edges. Divide eggplants, oregano sprigs, whole garlic cloves, and 1/2 cup oil between 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Turn eggplants to coat with oil; season with salt and pepper and place cut side down. Cover baking sheets tightly with foil and bake until eggplants are very soft, 40-45 minutes.
  • Toss breadcrumbs and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl. Transfer eggplants, oregano, and garlic to 2 large shallow baking dishes, placing eggplants cut side up. Top eggplants with tomato sauce and mozzarella, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Parmesan. Bake until mozzarella is bubbling and breadcrumbs are golden, 25-30 minutes.
  • Do Ahead
  • Tomato sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Eggplants can be cooked 1 day ahead. Keep covered; chill. Entire dish can be assembled 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN



Eggplant Parmesan image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h40m

Yield 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 27

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 roasted red peppers, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 (28-ounce) cans plum tomatoes and their juices, crushed with your hands
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves
1 tablespoon freshly chopped oregano leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Honey, to taste
5 cups fresh dried breadcrumbs (made from dried day-old bread)
Butter, for greasing the dish
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons water
2 to 3 medium eggplants (about 2 1/4-pounds), cut into 1/2-inch-thick round slices (need about 18 slices)
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Vegetable oil, for frying
12 ounces grated mozzarella (not fresh), plus1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
12 ounces grated fontina
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
Fresh basil leaves, torn

Steps:

  • For the Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce:
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add the red peppers and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the tomatoes, bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and process until smooth. Return the mixture back to the pot, add the parsley, basil and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes longer and season with honey, if needed.
  • To dry out the bread crumbs:
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degree F.
  • Evenly spread the bread crumbs on a large baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes, turn the oven off and let the bread crumbs sit in the oven for 30 minutes or until just dry.
  • Raise the temperature of the oven up to 400 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 15 by 10 by 2-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • Place the bread crumbs into a large shallow bowl. Add the herbs, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. In another medium shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water together.
  • Season each eggplant slice on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour, tapping off excess, then dip it in the egg, and finally dredge it in the bread crumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the egg plant to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
  • Heat 1/2-inch of oil in 2 large straight-sided saute pans over medium heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 385 degrees F. Working in small batches, fry a few of the eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
  • Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with some of the tomato sauce and arrange 1/2 of the eggplant over the sauce. Cover the eggplant with some of the sauce, grated mozzarella, fontina, Romano cheese and some of the basil. Repeat to make 3 layers ending with the sauce. Top with the fresh mozzarella and remaining Romano and bake until hot and just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella image

The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.

Provided by lindseytr0n

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large unpeeled purple eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or as needed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, or more as needed
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce (such as De Cecco®)
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) package smoked mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella image

The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.

Provided by lindseytr0n

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large unpeeled purple eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or as needed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, or more as needed
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce (such as De Cecco®)
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) package smoked mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella image

The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.

Provided by lindseytr0n

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large unpeeled purple eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or as needed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, or more as needed
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce (such as De Cecco®)
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) package smoked mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA



Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Basil and Smoked Mozzarella image

The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.

Provided by lindseytr0n

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 large unpeeled purple eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or as needed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, or more as needed
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
1 (24 ounce) jar prepared marinara sauce (such as De Cecco®)
1 bunch fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 (8 ounce) package smoked mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

Tips:

  • To ensure the eggplant slices are evenly cooked, slice them to a uniform thickness and cook them in batches if necessary.
  • For a crispier eggplant, coat the slices in flour or breadcrumbs before frying.
  • Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the sauce to enhance its flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes to develop its flavors.
  • Use a good quality smoked mozzarella cheese for a richer taste.
  • Layer the eggplant, sauce, and cheese in a baking dish, making sure to end with a layer of cheese.
  • Bake the eggplant parmesan until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the eggplant is tender.
  • Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Eggplant parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. With its crispy eggplant, flavorful sauce, and melted cheese, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Whether you're following the recipe above or experimenting with your own variations, using fresh ingredients and taking the time to cook the dish properly will ensure that you create a truly memorable meal.

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