If you’re looking for a delicious way to enjoy eggplant during grilling season, this Grilled Eggplant Parmesan delivers smoky flavor, melty cheese, and rich tomato sauce in every bite.
This Grilled Eggplant Parmesan takes a classic Italian comfort food and gives it a backyard barbecue twist. Instead of frying the eggplant, the slices are brushed generously with olive oil and grilled until tender with beautiful char marks. As a result, the eggplant develops a subtle smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with layers of marinara sauce, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and melted mozzarella. Whether served as a hearty side dish, a vegetarian main course, or piled onto fresh Italian bread for an incredible Eggplant Parmesan Hero, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Why Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Works
Grilling Adds Incredible Flavor: Unlike traditional fried eggplant, grilling creates a smoky depth that enhances every layer of the dish. Additionally, the grill marks add visual appeal while bringing out the natural sweetness of the eggplant.
No Frying Required: Because the eggplant is grilled instead of breaded and fried, this recipe is lighter while still delivering all the comforting flavors you expect from classic Eggplant Parmesan. Furthermore, cleanup is much easier.
Perfect Layers of Cheese and Sauce: Every layer is packed with marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, basil, and mozzarella. Consequently, each bite contains the ideal balance of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: This dish works beautifully as a side dish, vegetarian entrée, or even as the filling for a hearty sandwich. Therefore, it’s perfect for family dinners, cookouts, and gatherings throughout the year.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 Chinese eggplants (or 2-3 Black Beauty eggplants)
- 24-ounce jar tomato sauce or marinara sauce
- 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
- 2-3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions:
Prepare the Eggplant: First, slice the eggplants into approximately ¼-inch thick slices. It’s important to keep them slightly thicker so they can withstand the intense heat of the grill without becoming too soft.
Coat with Olive Oil: Next, brush both sides of every eggplant slice generously with olive oil. Since eggplant tends to absorb moisture quickly, make sure both sides are fully coated for the best results.
Grill the Eggplant: Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the eggplant slices on both sides until they become tender and develop beautiful grill marks. Once finished, remove them from the grill and set aside.
Build the First Layer: Then, place a thin layer of grilled eggplant into an oven-safe baking dish. Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the eggplant and top with Parmesan cheese, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the eggplant, sauce, Parmesan, basil, and mozzarella until all ingredients have been used. As a result, you’ll create multiple layers packed with flavor.
Bake Until Hot and Bubbly: Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Place it in a grill or oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is heated through.
Broil for a Golden Cheese Crust: Afterward, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional few minutes until the top layer of cheese becomes golden brown. Although this step is optional, it adds incredible texture and flavor.
Rest and Serve: Finally, allow the Grilled Eggplant Parmesan to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving. For an extra-special meal, serve it on fresh Italian bread to create a delicious Eggplant Parmesan Hero.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Eggplant Parmesan is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly memorable. The smoky grilled eggplant, rich marinara sauce, fresh basil, and layers of melted cheese come together to create a comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled meats, enjoying it as a vegetarian main course, or transforming leftovers into an incredible sandwich, this recipe delivers authentic Italian-inspired flavor with a backyard barbecue twist. Once you try grilling your eggplant instead of frying it, you may never go back.
Another Eggplant recipe i love make is Air Fried Stuffed Eggplant
You can serve this as an appetizer or a side dish for some delicious Tri-Tip
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan
This Grilled Eggplant Parmesan takes a classic Italian comfort food and gives it a backyard barbecue twist. Instead of frying the eggplant, the slices are brushed generously with olive oil and grilled until tender with beautiful char marks. As a result, the eggplant develops a subtle smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with layers of marinara sauce, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and melted mozzarella. Whether served as a hearty side dish, a vegetarian main course, or piled onto fresh Italian bread for an incredible Eggplant Parmesan Hero, this recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 4-5 Chinese eggplants (or 2-3 Black Beauty eggplants)
- 24-ounce jar tomato sauce or marinara sauce
- 4 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons sliced fresh basil
- 2-3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Eggplant: First, slice the eggplants into approximately ¼-inch thick slices. It's important to keep them slightly thicker so they can withstand the intense heat of the grill without becoming too soft.
Coat with Olive Oil: Next, brush both sides of every eggplant slice generously with olive oil. Since eggplant tends to absorb moisture quickly, make sure both sides are fully coated for the best results.
Grill the Eggplant: Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the eggplant slices on both sides until they become tender and develop beautiful grill marks. Once finished, remove them from the grill and set aside.
Build the First Layer: Then, place a thin layer of grilled eggplant into an oven-safe baking dish. Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the eggplant and top with Parmesan cheese, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the eggplant, sauce, Parmesan, basil, and mozzarella until all ingredients have been used. As a result, you'll create multiple layers packed with flavor.
Bake Until Hot and Bubbly: Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Place it in a grill or oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dish is heated through.
Broil for a Golden Cheese Crust: Afterward, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional few minutes until the top layer of cheese becomes golden brown. Although this step is optional, it adds incredible texture and flavor.
Rest and Serve: Finally, allow the Grilled Eggplant Parmesan to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving. For an extra-special meal, serve it on fresh Italian bread to create a delicious Eggplant Parmesan Hero.
Notes
No Frying Required: Because the eggplant is grilled instead of breaded and fried, this recipe is lighter while still delivering all the comforting flavors you expect from classic Eggplant Parmesan. Furthermore, cleanup is much easier.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465Cholesterol: 45mgSodium: 880mgProtein: 23g