Name: Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed - 2 cups; Eggplants, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices - 6; Fresh basil - 1 bunch; Salt to taste - 1 bunch; Tomato puree (passata) - 1 ⅓ cups; Olive oil, divided - 2 tablespoons; Garlic - 2 cloves; Fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced - 18 ounces; Dried oregano, or to taste - ½ teaspoon; Grated Parmesan cheese - 4 ounces

Ingredients for - Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan)

1. Extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed 2 cups

2. Eggplants, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices 6

3. Fresh basil 1 bunch

4. Salt to taste 1 bunch

5. Tomato puree (passata) 1 ⅓ cups

6. Olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons

7. Garlic 2 cloves

8. Fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced 18 ounces

9. Dried oregano, or to taste ½ teaspoon

10. Grated Parmesan cheese 4 ounces

How to cook deliciously - Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan)

1 . Stage

Pour 2 cups oil (or amount needed for a depth of 1 inch) into a deep skillet; heat over medium heat.

2 . Stage

Pat eggplant slices dry with a paper towel. Set aside 4 whole basil leaves; chop remaining leaves.

3 . Stage

Fry eggplant in batches in 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.

4 . Stage

Simmer passata, 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic cloves, 4 basil leaves, and a pinch salt in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard garlic cloves.

5 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish.

6 . Stage

Layer ingredients in the baking dish in the following order as many times as possible: fried eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, oregano, Parmesan cheese, and basil leaves. End with a layer of mozzarella and a drizzle of remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.

7 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheeses are melted, about 40 minutes. Let stand a few minutes before slicing.