A gorgeous casserole style dish of deep purple and golden brown chunks, swirled with strings of melted cheese and speckled with bright green herbs, all crowned with a crispy, golden Panko breadcrumb crust glare invitingly beneath the flash of your camera light.

Eggplant Parmesan Bake with Panko Crust

Name: Eggplant Parmesan Bake with Panko Crust
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: medium eggplant, 2 sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds; Marinara sauce, 2 cups; shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 cups; Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup grated; Panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup; all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup; large eggs, 2 lightly beaten; fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped; Olive oil, for brushing; Salt and pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 45 minutes

Style American

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: August 15, 2023

In the heart of summer, it's the perfect time to highlight the humble eggplant. We've taken inspiration from classic American comfort food and given it a delightful twist. Our Eggplant Parmesan Bake with a Panko Crust is hearty, cheesy, and the perfect antidote to wet weather.

Ingredients (for 4)

Medium eggplant - 2 - sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
Marinara sauce - 2 cups
Shredded mozzarella cheese - 2 cups
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup - grated
Panko breadcrumbs - 1 cup
All-purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Large eggs - 2 - lightly beaten
Fresh basil - 1/4 cup - chopped
Olive oil - - for brushing
Salt and pepper - - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️🔥📝

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 - 🍆💦🍞

Dip each eggplant round in flour, then in egg, and coat with Panko crumbs. Arrange on baking sheets, brush each slice with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3 - 🍆🔥⏲️

Bake the eggplant rounds for 20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Step 4 - 🍅🍆🧀

In a casserole dish, layer Marinara sauce, eggplant rounds, and both cheeses. Repeat layers until out of ingredients, ending with cheese on top. Sprinkle with more Panko crumbs.
Step 5 - 🥘🔥⏲️

Bake the casserole in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly and melted.
Step 6 - 🌿🍽️😋

Let the dish cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Additional

This dish is a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. They can help with the bread crumbing process. If you'd like to add some protein, feel free to add cooked, drained ground turkey or sausage between the layers. For a fun twist, try adding a layer of thinly sliced fresh tomatoes or zucchini!