Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmigiana di Melanzane)
Total Time
1 hour and 40 minutes
Prep Time
40 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Rating
4.96 out of 5 stars
(71)
Ingredients
8 servings
- 1.8kg / 4 lbs large eggplants (aubergines) - about 5 (, sliced lengthways 8mm (1/3")-thick (skin on, Note 1)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for brushing)
- 1 2/3 cups parmesan (, finely grated)
- 2 cups basil leaves (loosely packed), stalks reserved)
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella (, shredded (for topping) (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion (, finely diced)
- 5 garlic cloves (, finely minced)
- 600ml / 20oz tomato passata (Note 3)
- 400g/ 14oz canned tomatoes (, crushed or finely chopped (Note 4)
- 1 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp fresh oregano (, finely chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried oregano, or 1 sprig fresh basil)
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Preparation
Step 1
Baking eggplant:
Step 2
Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan).
Step 3
Line three trays: Line three large trays with baking / parchment paper.
Step 4
Brush eggplant with oil: Brush eggplant slices on each side with oil.
Step 5
Bake 35 minutes: Arrange eggplant in a single layer on the trays and bake for about 35 - 45 mins or until browning and tender, turning the eggplant halfway. I put the trays on the top shelf, in the middle, then I put one tray on the floor of the oven. As each tray finishes, I remove the tray and move the others up.
Step 6
Cool: Remove from oven, leave on trays to cool.
Step 7
Tomato sauce (sugo):
Step 8
Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 3 minutes until softened and just about to colour on the edges.
Step 9
Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the passata , canned tomatoes, water, oregano and sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer.
Step 10
Simmer 30 minutes: Simmer uncovered for about 30 - 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened, adding the basil stalks halfway through cooking (so they don’t lose their flavour).
Step 11
The final consistency should be slightly thicker than a pasta sauce so it’s spreadable and not leaching liquid, but not too pasty either. Add extra water a little at a time if required during cooking if it gets too thick. Remove the basil stalks and discard.
Step 12
Season: Stir in salt and pepper. (Remember, we get salt from the parmesan too, so no need to go overboard here)
Step 13
Assembling and baking:
Step 14
Reduce oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan).
Step 15
Smear a little tomato sauce in the bottom of baking dish, 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" (or thereabouts).
Step 16
Layer 1: Lay one third of the eggplant so it covers the base (some overlap is OK when layering eggplant). Spread 1/3 of the remaining sugo over eggplant. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the parmesan, and 1/3 of basil leaves.
Step 17
Layer 2: Repeat another 1/3 each of eggplant, tomato sauce, olive oil, basil and parmesan.
Step 18
Layer 3 (top layer): Repeat again with remaining eggplant, tomato sauce and some olive oil. Do not put basil on top layer (we will garnish after baking). Scatter with remaining parmesan, then all the mozzarella.
Step 19
Bake for 25 mins until bubbling and golden.
Step 20
Rest: Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes (easier to slice neatly). Scatter over remaining fresh basil leaves. Cut like lasagna and serve! (Optional: sprinkle with extra parmesan).
Step 21
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