Best 3 Melanzana Alla Parmigiana Perfect Eggplant Parmigiana Recipes

The classic Italian dish, "melanzana alla parmigiana" or eggplant parmigiana, is a culinary masterpiece that combines the rich flavors of eggplant, tomato sauce, cheese, and herbs. This mouth-watering dish has captivated taste buds worldwide with its crispy eggplant slices, layered with a savory tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Dive into this culinary exploration to discover the secrets behind creating the perfect eggplant parmigiana, from selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the art of layering and baking.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN BAKED EGGPLANT WITH PARMESAN (PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE)

Italian Baked Eggplant with Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane) image

Eggplant parmigiana or eggplant Parmesan is one of the most popular and iconic vegetarian Italian dishes and this recipe is straight from Italy. Use ripe eggplant without seeds and salt them for 1 hour to remove the bitterness.

Provided by Beatrice

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 3h5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3 pounds large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
2 tablespoons coarse salt, or as needed
5 cups vegetable oil for frying
2 tablespoons flour for dredging
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, halved
3 (15 ounce) cans tomato puree
8 leaves fresh basil leaves, halved
salt to taste
1 ½ (16 ounce) packages fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
2 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Place a single layer of eggplant slices in a colander sitting on a plate and sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover with a second layer and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining eggplant. Place a plate on top and add a weight to put pressure on the eggplant slices. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
Rinse eggplant slices under running cold water to wash off all the salt. Pat dry on all sides with paper towels.
Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge eggplant slices in flour on both sides and add to the hot oil, working in batches. Deep fry eggplant until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook garlic and onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato puree, 4 basil leaves, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until sauce starts to thicken, about 20 minutes. Remove sauce from heat. Discard garlic and stir in remaining 4 leaves basil.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the bottom of a baking dish. Cover with a single layer of eggplant slices. Top with more sauce, mozzarella slices, and Parmesan cheese. Continue making layers, a total of 3 to 5, finishing with tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 591.9 calories, Carbohydrate 30.6 g, Cholesterol 76.5 mg, Fat 38.5 g, Fiber 9.1 g, Protein 35.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.3 g, Sodium 3313.2 mg, Sugar 13.5 g

MELANZANA ALLA PARMIGIANA (PERFECT EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA)

Melanzana alla Parmigiana (Perfect Eggplant Parmigiana) image

This classic Italian dish from Sicily is often simply referred to as 'Parmigiana' by the Sicilian locals. The richness and depth of flavor that you get from this authentic version is well worth the extra effort. Serve eggplant Parmigiana with nothing more than crusty bread and a green salad.

Provided by AndreaCiotti

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 1h17m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
6 eggplants, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
salt to taste
1 ⅓ cups crushed tomatoes in puree
1 tablespoon olive oil, or more to taste
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch fresh basil, divided
18 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced
dried oregano, to taste
4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat about 1 inch extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Pat eggplant slices dry with a paper towel and fry eggplant in batches in the hot oil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer eggplant to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; season with salt.
Combine tomato puree (passata), 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, salt, and 4 basil leaves in a saucepan; simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove garlic from sauce.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
Place a layer of fried eggplant in the baking dish and cover with a layer of tomato sauce. Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese, oregano, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil leaves, in that order. Continue layering in the same order with remaining ingredients, ending with a layer of mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheeses are melted, about 40 minutes. Let stand a few minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.3 calories, Carbohydrate 36.8 g, Cholesterol 83.4 mg, Fat 28.9 g, Fiber 19.3 g, Protein 28.9 g, SaturatedFat 16.2 g, Sodium 453.4 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

MELANZANE ALLA PARMIGIANA (EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA)

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmigiana) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 2h5m

Yield 8 to 12 servings; About 8 cups sauce

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
5 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 red onion, finely chopped
Two 28-ounce cans pomodori pelati tomatoes (whole peeled tomatoes), blended smooth
Pinch red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Large handful fresh basil leaves, optional
Canola oil, for frying eggplants
2 cups all-purpose flour
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 medium eggplants, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 1/2 pounds part-skim mozzarella, grated
1 pound Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
1 bunch fresh basil, leaves only (about 3 loosely packed cups), plus more for garnish
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

For the red sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and onions and saute until tender, 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and some salt and black pepper and simmer for 20 minutes. Tear the basil leaves and stir into the sauce at the end of simmering.
For the eggplant parmigiana: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pour 2 inches of olive oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or high-sided skillet and heat to 360 degrees F.
Pour the flour into a wide casserole dish. Whisk in salt and black pepper. Dredge the eggplant slices in the flour, and then fry them in the hot oil in batches. When they are browned, remove them from the oil and lay them on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat as necessary. Let cool.
Start layering your ingredients in individual gratin dishes or in 2 disposable trays if making family-style servings: a few slices of fried eggplant, a small spoonful of red sauce, a couple of handfuls of mozzarella, a couple of tablespoons of Parmesan, a few leaves of basil. Repeat the layering 2 to 3 times (3 is better if your dish can accommodate it). For the top layer, finish with a final spoonful of red sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until bubbly and golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Reserve any remaining red sauce for another use.
Serve garnished with a few leaves of basil, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a touch of extra-virgin olive oil.
Buon Appetito!

Tips for Making the Perfect Eggplant Parmigiana:

Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and heavy for their size. Avoid eggplants that are bruised or have blemishes.
Slice the eggplant evenly: This will help ensure that it cooks evenly. Use a sharp knife to slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Salt the eggplant slices: This will help to draw out the moisture and prevent the eggplant from becoming bitter. Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and let them rest for 30 minutes.
Dredge the eggplant slices in flour: This will help the eggplant to brown nicely. Dredge the eggplant slices in flour, shaking off any excess.
Fry the eggplant slices: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet. Fry the eggplant slices in batches, for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
Make the tomato sauce: While the eggplant is frying, make the tomato sauce. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Assemble the eggplant parmigiana: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of the dish. Top with a layer of eggplant slices. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of tomato sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake the eggplant parmigiana: Bake the eggplant parmigiana for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the eggplant is tender.
Let the eggplant parmigiana rest before serving: This will help the flavors to meld. Let the eggplant parmigiana rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

Eggplant parmigiana is a delicious and classic Italian dish that is easy to make at home. With a few simple tips, you can make the perfect eggplant parmigiana that will impress your family and friends.