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Lighter Eggplant Parmesan

Lighter Eggplant Parmesan

The ultimate comfort food just got a makeover! Our Lighter Eggplant Parmesan is creamy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious without the guilt. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress. Enjoy the layers of tender eggplant and rich tomato sauce that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dishes
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds eggplant 1 large or 2 medium
  • olive oil spray
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 12 ounces part-skim ricotta Polly-o is the only brand I use
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 1/2 cups part-skim mozzarella I used Sargento
  • 4 cups homemade tomato sauce or jarred marinara

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet
  • Frying Pan
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Grater
  • Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. Start by making the sauce if you don't have any already made. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Spray two sheet pans with olive oil. While the sauce simmers, slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch thick slices. Transfer the sliced eggplant to the prepared pans, allowing for slight overlaps. Season with kosher salt. Bake the eggplant for 20 minutes, turning halfway through. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, a large egg, chopped parsley, and 1/4 cup of grated Pecorino Romano. Put 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9x12 baking dish. Add 1/3 of baked eggplant to cover the bottom of the dish. Top with 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 3/4 cup of sauce. Add another layer of eggplant and repeat the layering process with the remaining ricotta, mozzarella, and sauce two more times. Save the last layer of mozzarella for topping. Finish with the remaining sauce and cheese.
  2. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F. Cover the dish with foil and bake until cheese is melted and everything is bubbling, which takes about 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Take the dish out of the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

  • Tip 1: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
  • Tip 2: You can freeze this dish! Just ensure it’s tightly wrapped before freezing.
  • Tip 3: This dish goes great with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
  • Tip 4: While mozzarella is classic, you can try goat cheese for a unique twist.
  • Tip 5: Letting the dish rest allows the layers to settle for cleaner slices.