Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

Featured in: Dinner Winners

This Italian-inspired casserole features tender eggplant slices layered with rich tomato sauce and creamy ricotta. Breaded eggplant is baked to a golden crisp, then layered with no-boil noodles, mozzarella, and a blend of Parmesan cheeses. Baked until bubbly and garnished with fresh basil, it creates a hearty dish ideal for family meals or gatherings. The preparation includes sweating and breading eggplant for optimum texture, simmering a flavorful herb-infused sauce, and assembling multiple layers for a balanced, satisfying combination of flavors and textures.

Updated on Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:25:23 GMT
Golden-brown Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, layered with cheese and vibrant marinara sauce, promises a comforting meal. Save
Golden-brown Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, layered with cheese and vibrant marinara sauce, promises a comforting meal. | tastybattle.com

A comforting Italian-inspired casserole layering tender eggplant, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, finished with a golden Parmesan crust. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

I first made this Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna for my family on a chilly weekend, and the aroma brought everyone to the kitchen long before dinner was ready. It's become a requested dish for our get-togethers—everyone loves the layers of crispy eggplant and cheesy filling.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices; 1 tablespoon salt (for sweating eggplant)
  • Breading: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • Cheeses: 2 cups ricotta cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)
  • Sauce: 4 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; salt and pepper, to taste
  • For Assembly: 9 no-boil lasagna noodles (or regular, pre-cooked); 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

Prepare Oven & Eggplant:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay eggplant slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle both sides with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat dry with paper towels.
Bread & Bake Eggplant:
Dredge each slice in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat in breadcrumbs. Arrange breaded eggplant on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
Make Sauce:
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Prepare Ricotta Mixture:
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the Parmesan and all of the Pecorino Romano (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce Oven & Assemble Lasagna:
Reduce oven to 375°F (190°C). Assemble the lasagna in a 9x13-inch baking dish: spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom, place 3 lasagna noodles over sauce, layer half the baked eggplant slices over noodles, spread half of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella, add another layer of sauce. Repeat with remaining noodles, eggplant, ricotta, and mozzarella. Top with final noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake:
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes more, until top is bubbly and golden.
Rest & Serve:
Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil.
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| tastybattle.com
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| tastybattle.com

Bringing this dish to our Sunday dinner has become a tradition—it disappears quickly, always leaving just enough for a lunch the next day.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, 9x13-inch baking dish, saucepan, mixing bowls, whisk, knife, and cutting board are all the tools you'll need for a smooth cooking process.

Allergen Information

Contains: Wheat (flour, breadcrumbs, lasagna noodles), Eggs, Milk (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano). Double-check cheese and sauce labels for allergens if using pre-made products.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 510, Total Fat: 23 g, Carbohydrates: 48 g, Protein: 26 g (per serving).

A bubbling, cheesy view of Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, showing off layers of tender eggplant and creamy ricotta. Save
A bubbling, cheesy view of Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, showing off layers of tender eggplant and creamy ricotta. | tastybattle.com
A bubbling, cheesy view of Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, showing off layers of tender eggplant and creamy ricotta. Save
A bubbling, cheesy view of Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna, showing off layers of tender eggplant and creamy ricotta. | tastybattle.com

Serve this lasagna hot and let the cheese bubble for an irresistible golden finish. Your guests will love every mouthful.

Recipe Questions

How do you prepare eggplant for baking?

Slice eggplant, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, then pat dry before breading.

Can I use regular or no-boil noodles?

Either regular pre-cooked or no-boil lasagna noodles work well for layering this dish.

What cheeses are used in layering?

Ricotta mixed with Parmesan and optional Pecorino Romano, plus shredded mozzarella for topping and layering.

How is the sauce made flavorful?

Sautéed onions and garlic combined with marinara, dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper create a rich tomato sauce.

Can I make a lighter version of this casserole?

Grilling eggplant slices instead of breading and baking reduces fat while keeping the flavors intact.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and noodles to accommodate gluten sensitivities.

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Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

Comforting casserole with eggplant, tomato sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and a Parmesan crust, perfect for dinners.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
60 min
Complete duration
90 min
Created by Alex Ramirez


Skill level Medium

Heritage Italian-American

Output 6 Portions

Nutritional specifications Meat-free

Components

Vegetables

01 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices
02 1 tablespoon salt, for sweating eggplant

Breading

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 2 large eggs, beaten
03 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs

Cheeses

01 2 cups ricotta cheese
02 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, optional

Sauce

01 4 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
07 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Assembly

01 9 no-boil lasagna noodles, or pre-cooked regular noodles
02 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the eggplant slices.

Phase 02

Prepare Eggplant: Lay eggplant slices on a baking sheet, sprinkle both sides with salt, and let rest for 30 minutes to extract excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels afterward.

Phase 03

Bread Eggplant: Coat each eggplant slice first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat evenly with Italian-style breadcrumbs.

Phase 04

Bake Eggplant: Arrange breaded slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and tender.

Phase 05

Prepare Sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Phase 06

Mix Cheese Filling: Combine ricotta cheese with half the grated Parmesan and all Pecorino Romano (if used). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Phase 07

Reduce Oven Temperature: Lower oven setting to 375°F in preparation for lasagna assembly and baking.

Phase 08

Assemble Layers: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top, followed by half the baked eggplant slices. Spread half the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella. Add another sauce layer. Repeat the stacking sequence with remaining noodles, eggplant, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Finish with the last noodles, remaining sauce, and top with the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Phase 09

Bake Covered: Cover the assembled dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Phase 10

Bake Uncovered: Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

Phase 11

Rest and Garnish: Allow the dish to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (flour, breadcrumbs, lasagna noodles), eggs, and dairy products (ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano).

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 510
  • Fats: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 26 g

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