I love eggplant parmesan but detest the deep-fried, heavily breaded kind that you get in a lot of restaurants. I’ve experimented over the years and this is about as low calorie as you can make this traditional Italian dish without sacrificing taste. Eggplant soaks up a lot of oil in the traditional preparation, so I brush them with olive oil and bake them instead!
Eggplant Parmesan “My Way”
2 med. eggplants, cut into ½” rounds
2-3 T. extra virgin olive oil
½ t. Cajun spice (optional)
Italian-style bread crumbs
Purchased spaghetti sauce
8 oz. thinly sliced mozzarella
½ c. grated parmesan
Sprinkle both sides with salt and place between paper towels. This draws out the moisture and any bitterness – leave them for about 30 min.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush both sides of the eggplant rounds with olive oil. (I put a dash of Cajun spice because I like a little more zip in about everything.) Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake, turning once, until the eggplant is softened and golden brown, about 30 minutes total. (Remember, they get baked again.)
In a 9½” x 13” baking dish, spread spaghetti sauce to cover bottom of dish, cover with first layer of eggplant,
then layer mozzarella on top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Dot cheese with sauce and repeat with another layer of eggplant, mozzarella, grated parmesan and sauce. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly. (You may put it under the broiler to brown, but watch carefully!)
Do as the Italians do and enjoy with a bottle of Chianti Classico!
Enjoy 
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This sounds fabulous! I will have to try it the next time I make homemade sauce.
I can’t wait to see this IRL next week! I really need to cook more with eggplant – so simple! YUM-O!
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Hey … this is brilliant! I’ll have to try it next time the urge for eggplant parmesan strikes … and I won’t even have to wipe up oil splatters and flour fluffs from all around my kitchen afterward!
Thanks, Jane! Yes, it is much neater, too
Mmmm, I agree, let the eggplant shine, not the breading. Im big on using herbs and good cheeses in my Italiano dishes.
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