Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This eggplant Parmesan casserole is layered with mozzarella cheese and homemade tomato sauce with onion and mushrooms for an easy, comforting meal.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing, or as needed
2 eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/4 pound mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2 Brush 2 tablespoons olive oil onto eggplant slices; arrange in a single layer in a shallow baking dish.
3 Bake in the preheated oven until eggplant is tender and browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove eggplant from the oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4 Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat; cook and stir onion, mushrooms, and garlic in hot oil until onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomato sauce, basil, and oregano; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
5 Arrange about 1/2 of the eggplant slices in a 2-quart casserole dish; top with 1/2 of the sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubby, about 25 minutes. Cool for about 5 minutes before serving.