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This Mini Eggplant Parmesan is a perfectly portioned version of the Italian classic. Made with crispy breaded eggplant, layers of rich tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella, it’s baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for one or two servings, this easy recipe brings big flavor with simple ingredients.
Pair your Eggplant Parmesan with warm French Bread, a crisp Caesar Salad or Italian Chopped Salad, or savory Garlic Smashed Potatoes for a complete meal.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Recipe Variations
- How To Choose The Perfect Eggplant
- How To Make Eggplant Parmesan
- Best Baking Dishes For Mini Eggplant Parmesan
- Make-Ahead Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Vegetarian Meals For One or Two
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Mini Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: This recipe bakes in just 30 minutes, making it a convenient choice for any day.
- Simple Ingredients: The ingredients are easy to find, and the steps are clear—no special techniques needed.
- Deliciously Satisfying: Crispy breaded eggplant, savory tomato sauce, and melty cheese create amazing flavor in every bite.
- Easily Scaled: Double the recipe to prepare for leftovers or to serve a small group.
RELATED: Easy Comfort Food Recipes For One
Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian-inspired dish made with slices of breaded and fried eggplant layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, and tomato sauce, then baked until bubbly and golden.
Our mini eggplant Parmesan takes this timeless recipe and scales it down to the perfect portion for one or two. This version combines crispy, flavorful eggplant with creamy cheese and rich tomato sauce, delivering all the comforting flavors of the traditional dish in a smaller, more manageable size. Simple ingredients, perfectly balanced, create a dish that’s both satisfying and easy to make.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small eggplant Parmesan recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder .
- Egg: Use one large beaten egg to coat the eggplant slices. This helps the breadcrumbs adhere, creating a crisp, golden layer.
- Breadcrumbs: Choose store-bought or homemade breadcrumbs to give the eggplant a crunchy texture. Combine them with Parmesan for added flavor. Leftover breadcrumbs can be used in Baked Chicken Tenders, Chicken Parmesan, or a Mini Turkey Meatloaf.
- Parmesan Cheese: Mix 1/4 cup of freshly shredded Parmesan with the breadcrumbs for coating, and sprinkle an additional 2 tablespoons on top before baking. Freshly shredded Parmesan has a richer flavor than pre-packaged varieties.
- Herbs and Seasonings: A blend of dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper brings a classic Italian flavor to the dish. This same seasoning combination is perfect for recipes like Chicken Caprese.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is ideal for this recipe, offering a pure olive flavor and added nutrients. If needed, lighter olive oil can be substituted.
- Eggplant: Use a small eggplant, about 11 ounces. Peeling is optional but recommended, as the skin can be tough and slightly bitter. Leftover eggplant works well in recipes like Caponata, Baba Ganoush or Chicken Tagine.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Adds creamy, melty layers to the lasagna. Use any extra mozzarella in Caprese Pasta or on a Personal Pepperoni Pizza.
- Tomato Sauce: Use 3/4 cup of marinara or tomato sauce. It provides a rich, flavorful base that complements the eggplant and cheese.
Recipe Variations
These creative twists on vegetarian eggplant Parmesan let you customize the dish to suit your taste or make use of ingredients you already have on hand.
- Spicy Eggplant Parmesan: Add a zesty kick by mixing red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce into the tomato sauce. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
- Cheese Variety: Swap out the mozzarella for smoked Gouda or sharp Cheddar to introduce new flavors. These cheeses bring unique textures and richness to the dish.
- Pesto Twist: Replace the tomato sauce with pesto for a fresh, herbaceous alternative. This variation offers a lighter but equally flavorful take on the recipe.
- Meaty Eggplant Parmesan: Add cooked crumbled Italian sausage or ground turkey between the layers for a heartier version. This makes the dish a satisfying, protein-packed meal.
- Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan: Spread a mixture of ricotta, chopped spinach, and garlic between the eggplant slices before assembling. This adds creamy, savory layers and an extra burst of flavor.
How To Choose The Perfect Eggplant
Eggplants are available year-round, with peak season from July to October. Follow these tips to pick the best one:
- Firmness: Look for an eggplant that feels slightly firm but not rock-hard. Avoid any that feel overly soft, as they may be overripe.
- Skin: Choose one with smooth, shiny skin and avoid any with blemishes or soft spots.
- Stem: Ensure the stem is green and free of mold or softness.
- Size: Smaller eggplants tend to be sweeter and less bitter.
- Storage: Use your eggplant within a week for the best flavor and texture.
How To Make Eggplant Parmesan
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a mini eggplant Parmesan. See the recipe below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Prepare the eggplant coating:
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg.
- In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Coat the eggplant:
- Dip one eggplant slice into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Dredge the slice in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated. Shake off any excess.
- Place the coated slices on a sheet of wax paper or a large plate.
- Fry the eggplant:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds.
- Fry 3 slices of eggplant at a time, cooking for 5 minutes and flipping halfway through until golden.
- Transfer the cooked slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, adding more oil if needed.
Pro Tip: Eggplant absorbs oil quickly, so additional olive oil may be needed for subsequent batches.
- Assemble the layers:
- Lightly grease a 5×5-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Arrange half of the eggplant slices in a single layer at the bottom of the dish.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the eggplant layer.
- Add the sauce: Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers:
- Add the remaining eggplant slices as a second layer.
- Top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.
- Finish with Parmesan: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top layer.
Pro Tip: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips from the sauce or cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm.
Best Baking Dishes For Mini Eggplant Parmesan
Choosing the right baking dish is key for perfectly layered and evenly baked Mini Eggplant Parmesan. Here are a few great options:
5×5-inch baking dish with a base area of 25 square inches
4×6-inch baking dish with a base area of 24 square inches
6×6-inch baking dish with a base area of 36 square inches
6-inch round baking dish with a base area of 28.3 square inches
Expert Tips
- Eggplant Thickness: Slice the eggplant no thicker than 1/4 inch. Thinner slices cook faster and absorb less oil, keeping the dish lighter without sacrificing flavor.
- Storing Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover Eggplant Parmesan for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven for the best results.
Make-Ahead Tips
Save time with these easy make-ahead options for Mini Eggplant Parmesan:
- Cook Ahead: Bake the entire dish a day in advance. Let it cool, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat at 350°F until the center is warm and the edges are bubbling.
- Fry Ahead: Fry the eggplant slices a day or two before assembling. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Assemble Ahead: Layer the casserole the day before. Cover and refrigerate. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake as directed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian, but note that traditional Parmesan cheese is not strictly vegetarian because it contains animal rennet. To keep the dish vegetarian, use a Parmesan-style cheese labeled as vegetarian or substitute it with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Salting eggplant was traditionally done to remove bitterness, but modern eggplants are rarely bitter due to improved farming methods. I skip this step and have never found it to affect the flavor. You can slice your eggplant and start cooking right away.
To make a low-carb version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour. Use 1/2 cup of almond flour and follow the recipe as written. Alternatively, skip the breadcrumbs and coat the eggplant with a mix of shredded Parmesan cheese and spices.
Yes, this recipe doubles easily. Use a 6×8-inch or a 7×7-inch baking dish and adjust the layers accordingly. Baking time may increase slightly, so keep an eye on it while it bakes.
Yes, you can freeze it. Assemble the dish but do not bake it. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, bake directly from frozen at 350°F, adding an additional 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
More Vegetarian Meals For One or Two
Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Here are some delicious options that are perfectly portioned for one or two:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this baked Eggplant Parmesan or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Mini Eggplant Parmesan
Equipment
- 5-inch baking dish or 4×6-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese -plus 2 tablespoons more for topping
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small eggplant (about 11-ounces), peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Lightly beat the egg in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Dip one slice of eggplant into the beaten egg, letting the excess drip off, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated. Shake off any excess and place the coated slices on a sheet of wax paper or a large plate.
- Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds. Fry 3 eggplant slices at a time, cooking for 5 minutes and flipping halfway through until golden. Transfer the fried slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices, adding more olive oil if needed.Note: Eggplant absorbs oil quickly, so you may need to add additional olive oil for the second batch.
- Lightly grease a 5×5 inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Arrange half of the fried eggplant slices in a single layer on the bottom of the dish.
- Cover the eggplant with half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the tomato sauce.
- Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.Pro Tip: Place the baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any sauce or cheese drippings.
- Bake the dish in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
Notes
- Eggplant Thickness: Slice the eggplant no thicker than 1/4 inch. Thinner slices cook faster and absorb less oil, keeping the dish lighter without sacrificing flavor.
- Storing Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover Eggplant Parmesan for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven for the best results.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Made an eggplant lover out of me. Simple but delicious. Definitely going into the rotation.
Hi Joanie, I just found your “onedishkitchen.com” and so glad I did. My husband and I are empty nesters now that all 3 of our girls are married. So our meal portions have become smaller and my husband love desserts and I find desserts to be the hardest to bake smaller sizes. I’m excited to try the mini blueberry pie. So excited to receive emails and try your recipes.
Hi, I’m going to make this is 9 x 9 square pan a good size pan?
Judy, I bake mine in a 5×5-inch baking dish. You can use a 9×9-inch pan but you may only get one layer of eggplant slices in your pan. You will also have to watch the bake time, if using a larger baking dish the eggplant parmesan will likely cook faster.
Looks great
Have to hand it to you, my husband (who has been vegetarian his entire life) hates eggplant. He loved this. We both did! Finding great tasting, low carb, vegetarian meals is not easy – so thank you!
Hi Bree,
I’m so happy you both loved the recipe. It really is hard to believe it’s eggplant! Thanks so much for letting me know the eggplant was a hit.
Joanie
Jonie, I can’t wait to try this eggplant recipe. Thanks for all you do.
Hi Lesley
Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour.
Hi Eileen,
Yes, almond flour works well and I’ve made the switch quite a few times in this recipe. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Joanie, I’ve made this twice now, but realized that you don’t say what temp to bake it at! I did 375 last night and it was too hot. I can’t remember what I did it at the first time. Help please.
Lesley
Hi Lesley,
I apologize for my delayed response to your question. I’m traveling and my internet connection has been spotty. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. The eggplant is already cooked so you really just want the cheese to melt. I can’t believe I forgot to post the oven temperature – thanks so much for bringing it to my attention. I’m adding it to the recipe notes now. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Joanie
Hi Joanie, I’ve made this and it’s delish! I have one comment – you don’t say what temp to bake it at! I can’t remember what I baked it at the first time!
Thanks.
Lesley Keller
Can this recipe be frozen? And if so, should it be frozen before or after it's baked? This sounds delicious, but an eggplant is pretty large and it wouldn't do to have to toss what's left! LOL Thanks, Lesley Keller
Hi Lesley,
Yes, you can freeze Eggplant Parmesan. Bake it first, then tightly wrap up the leftovers in plastic wrap. In this recipe, I use a small eggplant that's just under a pound in weight. If you use a larger eggplant, you'll need to double the other ingredients.
Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Joanie
Great recipe.