Heart-Healthy Eggplant Parmesan

Delight in a lighter twist on a classic Italian favorite with this Heart-Healthy Eggplant Parmesan! Featuring tender, baked eggplant slices coated in whole wheat breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, this recipe skips the deep fryer without sacrificing crispiness or flavor. Layered with a rich, low-sodium marinara sauce, part-skim mozzarella, and fresh basil, this dish is a wholesome, guilt-free comfort food that’s packed with nutrients and bursting with savory goodness. Ready in just an hour and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this recipe is a satisfying way to enjoy a vegetarian main dish without compromising on health. Perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious, it’s a must-try for anyone seeking a nutritious spin on traditional comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 medium Eggplant
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups Low-sodium marinara sauce
• 1 cup Part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 2 Large eggs
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch thick rounds.

Step 3

Set up a breading station: in one shallow bowl, beat the eggs, and in another, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Step 4

Dip each eggplant slice into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides evenly.

Step 5

Place the breaded slices on a baking sheet and lightly brush or spray with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to help them crisp up.

Step 6

Bake the eggplant slices in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and tender.

Step 7

In a medium saucepan over low heat, gently warm the marinara sauce.

Step 8

Spread about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a large baking dish. Arrange a layer of baked eggplant slices over the sauce, then spoon more sauce over the pieces, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Step 9

Repeat the layering process until all the eggplant, sauce, and cheese are used, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella.

Step 10

Bake in the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm, and enjoy your heart-healthy meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1836.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1952.6

Total Fat 97.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.7g
Cholesterol 478mg	0%
Sodium 3716.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.0g	0%
Total Sugars 61.5g
Protein 97.3g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 1440.5mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 4292.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.4%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 37.3%