Eggplant Parmesan That Won't Break The Bank | Struggle Meals

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Part-skim mozzarella is lower in fat, while processed cheese can be more budget-friendly.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated hard cheese

Nutritional yeast is a lower-calorie option, and grated hard cheese can be less expensive.

Pick a graffiti eggplant with shiny skin and no mold, ensuring it's firm and not overripe.

Cut off the top of the eggplant and slice it into rounds, ensuring they are relatively void of seeds.

Sprinkle salt generously on the eggplant slices to draw out moisture and bitterness, then let them sit.

Chop garlic and heat olive oil in a pan, adding the garlic to infuse the oil.

Crush whole peeled tomatoes by hand in a bowl to create a fresh sauce, avoiding jarred tomato sauce.

After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices to remove excess salt and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Prepare a breading station with flour, a beaten egg, and bread crumbs.

Dust each eggplant slice with flour, dip it in the egg, and coat it with bread crumbs.

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and shallow fry the breaded eggplant slices until golden brown, avoiding overcrowding the pan.

Drain the fried eggplant on paper towels to remove excess oil.

In a baking dish, layer the fried eggplant with freshly made tomato sauce, grated parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

Place the assembled dish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

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Dietary

Allergens