
Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Salt the slices and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
Bread the eggplant: In a shallow dish, whisk together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. Dip each eggplant slice in the egg, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
Fry the eggplant: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded eggplant slices in batches until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Place the fried eggplant on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
Assemble the casserole: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices over the sauce, followed by dollops of ricotta cheese and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers: Repeat the layers of eggplant, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese until all the ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Rest and serve: Let the eggplant parmesan rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Really good. I liked that it was easy to make ahead of time. The textures were perfect.
This recipe is a true winner! The eggplant was perfectly cooked, and the layers of flavors were amazing. A must-try!
Best eggplant parmesan I've ever made! The instructions were clear, and the result was restaurant-quality. Everyone loved it!
Absolutely fantastic! The eggplant was perfectly crispy, and the combination of the sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella was heavenly. My family devoured it. Will definitely make this again!
Pretty good. The eggplant got a little soggy on the bottom, but the top layer was perfect. Maybe next time I will cook it a little longer.