Roasted Eggplant Parmesan (No Eggs)

We’ve taken eggplant Parmesan and nixed the frying step to get a lighter Roasted Eggplant Parmesan without compromising flavor. Meaty eggplant slices are first roasted to remove some of the water and then are layered with marinara and calcium-rich mozzarella cheese. We bumped up the flavor and inflammation-fighting nutrition by adding fresh herbs and garlic to the sauce. Since we know how important the texture of the breading is to this classic dish, we added a crunchy panko-Parmesan crust to the top—you’ll love the flavor. Top with fresh basil, and you’ve got yourself a comforting meal everyone will love. Keep reading for our expert tips on which type of mozzarella to use for best results, panko suggestions and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Roasting the eggplant ensures it cooks evenly and allows excess water to evaporate, helping to prevent a watery dish.
• Instead of using a ball of mozzarella, you can opt for preshredded cheese. However, we recommend avoiding fresh mozzarella, as it can contribute to a watery outcome.
• To achieve a crispy texture, we use panko breadcrumbs, and gluten-free panko is a suitable alternative. Regular breadcrumbs won’t work as well.
• Feel free to swap out the jarred marinara sauce for your own homemade, or choose a spicy arrabbiata sauce or a creamier vodka sauce—whatever you prefer!

Nutrition Notes

• Eggplant is a vegetable that’s low in calories and low in carbs, so it’s great for many dietary patterns. It also contains fiber, which is necessary for a healthy digestive system and regularity. 
• We chose jarred marinara sauce for this recipe because it’s convenient, delicious and contains the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is more available in cooked tomato products than in fresh, so this is a good shortcut in the kitchen. Choose a sauce that does not have any added sugar and preferably has simple ingredients, such as tomatoes, olive oil, onions, garlic and spices. 
• Mozzarella cheese can be low- or high-moisture (fresh), but we opted for low-moisture in this recipe to ensure that it’s not watered-down. Mozzarella is high in calcium, which is essential for good bone health at all ages, as well as protein, necessary for good muscle health and weight management at all ages.