Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan

1Preparation Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish with cooking spray.

2Preparation In a bowl, combine the marinara sauce (2 cups) with oregano, basil, garlic powder (½ teaspoon), salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3Preparation Prepare the eggplant slices by dipping them in flour, eggs (2 large), and then breadcrumbs (1 cup). Fry the slices until golden brown. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.

4Preparation In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese (1 cup), Parmesan cheese (1 cup), mozzarella cheese (½ cup), egg (1), salt, and pepper.

5Assembly Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce (2 cups) on the bottom of the baking dish. Add a layer of fried eggplant slices, followed by a layer of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of marinara sauce (2 cups) and a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese (½ cup) on top.

6Baking Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

7Serving Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.