Do you know how long does it take to bake eggplant parmesan? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.
Baked eggplant parmesan is an Italian delicacy. You are ready to cook up this delicious entrée and have all the right ingredients, but now find yourself asking a vital question: how long does it take to bake eggplant parmesan?
Common recipes for baked eggplant parmesan can vary on how long to bake it, but with recipes that call for baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, the recommended time is typically 30-35 minutes. However, that number could be less or more depending on the specific recipe you use.
In the following article, we’ll break down basic information about baked eggplant parmesan, how best to serve it, and tips on making this fantastic dish.
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How to Make Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Baked eggplant parmesan is a delightful, delicious, comfort meal that anyone can make. There are several recipes available on the internet with simple instructions that are easy to follow.
Most recipes call for the same ingredients including tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, basil, and of course the entrée’s key ingredient—eggplant.
For beginners who may not have tried their hand at making baked eggplant parmesan before one of the most accessible recipes on the web is AllRecipes’ eggplant parmesan recipe.
This recipe calls for the above ingredients along with two large eggs, beaten and mozzarella.
As is common with many eggplant parmesan recipes, this recipe instructs users to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The recipe directs users to dip eggplant slices in the egg mix and coat with bread crumbs before placing one layer on the baking sheet.
After removing the eggplant from the oven, the recipe calls for layering mozzarella, parmesan, and the sauce in repeat layers ending with a layer of cheese and dried basil on top.
Once all that is complete, bake the eggplant parmesan for 35 minutes. And done! You can find the recipe here for more detailed information.
Another similar recipe from the Food Network is similar but much more detailed—an eggplant parmesan recipe for the more experienced chef.
This recipe calls for additional herbs (including thyme and oregano), extra eggs, olive oil, and homemade marinara sauce.
Unlike the recipe from AllRecipes, it directs users to bake for 30 minutes.
For those who prefer a bit of a cooking challenge you can check out the Food Network’s recipe here.
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How to Serve Eggplant Parmesan
There are many options on how to serve eggplant parmesan. It really comes down to who you are serving the dish to and a user’s individual preferences.
Some popular baked eggplant parmesan side dishes include the following:
• Garlic bread;
• French bread;
• Salads (including pasta salad, caesar salad, Italian kale salad, and white bean salad);
• Sauteed or baked vegetables;
• Mashed potatoes;
• Baked potatoes; and many more.
As a popular Italian recipe, you can serve eggplant parmesan alongside the above as well as other popular Italian side dishes.
Stuffed artichokes, marinated mushrooms, focaccia bread, and bruschetta are just some additional options to pair with baked eggplant parmesan.
The popular baked eggplant parmesan recipe from AllRecipe mentioned above is recommended to be paired with broccoli salad, creamy garlic soup, or spicy bruschetta depending on the preference.
People looking for a lighter option may want to stick with the salads or vegetables. A kale salad or antipasto salad are light options and delicious to pair with the hearty, earthy taste of a slice of baked eggplant parmesan.
Grilled zucchini or broccoli are just as great.
If you are looking for hearty options all-around try a traditional Italian side like meatballs, gnocchi, or buttered noodles.
And of course, no Italian meal is complete without the finishing touch—an irresistible dessert!
If you are hoping to keep this meal authentically Italian try a scoop of gelato. For a tried-and-true palate cleanser try a scoop of vanilla or pistachio ice cream.
These are only some of the options to complete your baked eggplant parmesan meal.
Eggplant Parmesan Nutritional Facts
Baked eggplant parmesan can be considered a generally healthy dish. Unlike other Italian casseroles that use ingredients that are high in sugar, carbohydrates, and fat such as pasta, this vegetable-based meal is a healthier, leaner option.
Eggplant parmesan is often compared to the very popular Italian dish, chicken parmesan. While high in protein, this dish is much heavier and will include much more carbs and sugar.
Look to eggplant parmesan for the healthier option!
That being said it always good to know the nutritional facts before planning your meal, especially if you know you must adhere to certain dietary restrictions.
The nutrition content of baked eggplant parmesan can depend on the ingredients you use and the amount of ingredients used in the dish.
Many websites have general information on the nutritional information of baked eggplant parmesan though it should be noted that any of those general statistics would not be exact to a home cooked meal.
Nevertheless, websites like Nutritionix, Livestrong, and Carbmanager report that the average calories present in 1 serving of baked eggplant parmesan comes out to approximately 310 calories.
Nutrionix reports that a serving of eggplant parmesan contains 19 grams of total fat, 80 milligrams of cholesterol, 639 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 4.2 grams of sugar and 14 grams of protein.
Livestrong reports slightly higher nutrition content for a single serving stating it contains 22 grams of total fat, 55.4 milligrams of cholesterol, 705 milligrams of sodium, 17.2 grams of carbohydrates, 5.7 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.
Baked Eggplant Parmesan: General Facts
Baked eggplant parmesan or parmigiana is an Italian meal that is made with baked or fried sliced eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese.
The dish originated in Southern Italy in regions such as Campania, Sicily, and Apulia. There are many variations of the recipe.
Some cooks will dip the eggplant in egg prior to cooking, some will use flour and then fry the slices, and other recipes will call for a lighter option-grilling the eggplant plain.
The dish is finished off with layers of tomato sauce, cheese and often topped with basil and sometimes hard-boiled eggs. Some recipes will include baked zucchini or artichokes in addition to the sliced eggplant.
Food writers can trace back the origins of the modern recipe to Naples in the mid 1800s from a recipe published by Vincenzo Corrado.
Baked Eggplant Parmesan FAQs
So now you have the foundation for a delicious baked eggplant parmesan. Excellent! However, there are always additional questions any cook may have before diving into a new recipe.
Here are just a few questions you may have about baked eggplant parmesan that haven’t been covered in the content above.
1. How many layers of eggplant should there be in a baked eggplant parmesan?
As with everything, it really would depend on the recipe. Some recommend three layers of eggplant to keep the dish from getting lost in the sauce—literally.
Try more than three layers and unless you have a pan with extra high sides you may find that your dish overflowing in the oven, and no one wants that!
2. How do I know when the eggplant is appropriately cooked?
Some folks may not be too familiar with how to cook eggplant or how to recognize when it has been fully cooked.
According to Bonappetit, you will know that the eggplant is done cooking when it is tender and the flesh of the eggplant is somewhat “custardy”.
It is recommended to make sure the eggplant is never undercooked or the result will not be enjoyable.
3. How long does eggplant parmesan keep?
On average, baked eggplant parmesan can keep for three to five days in the refrigerator. The key to storage is to make certain that it is kept properly in an airtight container.
Anything less and you will find that this delicious meal will soon turn stale and you will miss out on those delicious leftovers.
4. Can you freeze eggplant parmesan?
Want to save and savor your baked eggplant parmesan for more than three to five days? No problem! You can always store it away for later in the freezer.
According to Allrecipes, eggplant parmesan can be stored away in a freezer up to three months. Be sure that the dish is stored in a properly sealed freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and always be aware that while edible the quality of the dish will deteriorate over time regardless of how well it is stored.
How to Make Baked Eggplant Parmesan / Do you cover eggplant Parmesan when baking? >> Check out the video below:
Final Thoughts
Baked eggplant parmesan is a delicious, hearty, Italian delicacy that is quick and easy to whip up with a short bake time of only approximately 30 minutes.
No matter your familiarity in the kitchen, eggplant parmesan is a nutritious meal that is easy to make and will provide you with tasty leftovers for several days after you cooked it up.
Take a look at the variety of resources, references, and information in the article above before you get started on your own eggplant parmesan dish and you will be ready to prepare a wonderful meal you will absolutely love!
References
https://www.marthastewart.com/313564/baked-eggplant-parmesan
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/eggplant-parmesan-recipe-2008982