Easy Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

Eggplant is a Mediterranean diet superstar because when cooked correctly it becomes sweet and silky. It’s the perfect vehicle for soaking up bold, fresh flavors like the pasta sauce, cheeses and pesto in this open-faced eggplant sandwich recipe. Consider this my healthier take on a classic. Traditional eggplant parmesan is breaded and fried, but for this recipe I skip all of that and opt instead for roasting the eggplant in the oven. Once roasted it’s time to layer on the flavor! Simply spread pesto and pasta sauce on toasted ciabatta bread, top it with the roasted eggplant, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, then pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes. It’s perfect for a weeknight when I’m craving the comfort of Eggplant Parmesan but I don’t feel like doing that much work. I love serving it open faced because the one slice of bread makes it just a tad lighter and lets the toppings do all the talking–like my Italian-style version with prosciutto and basil. For me, sometimes less is more when the fillings are this delicious! And, since I like most things to be as easy as possible this recipe can double as a vegetarian appetizer. Just slice and serve on a platter. The bite-sized pieces are just the right thing to snack on between conversation breaks, especially with plenty of Aperol Spritz to go around!

What You Need to Make an Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

This Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich comes together quickly with a handful of easy to source ingredients. Pesto and spaghetti sauce are a beautiful match and an easy way to get that nostalgic flavor with less time. Go the extra mile and make them from scratch or if you’re in a hurry, pick-up ready-made versions at the store.

Eggplant: You want the eggplants to maintain their shape as they roast: make sure they’re firm, shiny, and free of soft spots or bruises. Small globe or Japanese eggplants work best for Eggplant Parmesan. Kosher salt: Eggplants naturally have a high water content, which impedes caramelization in the oven. Salt dehydrates the eggplant, and rids it of some of its bitter flavor. Ciabatta: You can substitute with a French baguette or a rustic loaf, but I love ciabatta here. Toasted ciabatta somehow manages to be both sturdy and airy at the same time. Extra virgin olive oil: A smooth and buttery olive oil, like our Nocellara Italian EVOO, lets the eggplant’s flavor shine. Cheese: Melty cheese needs little justification—it’s what makes Eggplant Parm such a hit. Grab whole fresh mozzarella and Parmesan if you can, the pre-grated stuff isn’t quite the same. Basil pesto: A big fresh batch of homemade pesto brings this Eggplant Sandwich to the next level, but you can absolutely go for a tub at the store to save time. Spaghetti sauce: Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce comes together in just 35 minutes, but a store-bought marinara sauce works well too. Fresh basil (optional): Torn basil is used to add a pop of color and freshness.

How to Make an Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

Easy was my goal when I created this open-faced sandwich recipe: easy to make and easy to eat. That means no more breading and frying and no more forks and knives. Simply build the sandwich open-faced like a bruschetta, bake in the oven, slice, and serve.

Salt the eggplant: Arrange the 1/2-inch rounds cut from 2 small eggplants on a large tray or cutting board. Sprinkle each slice on both sides with kosher salt and set aside while you get the bread ready. Prepare and broil the bread: Set a rack in the middle of your oven and turn to broil. Halve the ciabatta loaf lengthwise to make two long halves. Open and place on a baking sheet with the cut-side up. Drizzle generously with extra-virgin olive oil and broil. Watch for the top to turn crispy and golden brown around the edges, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Bake the eggplant: Turn the oven to 400°F. Use paper towels to wipe the eggplant well, removing excess salt and water, then spread on a large, lightly oiled sheet pan in one layer. Brush the top of each slice with olive oil and bake until the eggplant has softened and turned slightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Assemble: Spread 1 cup of pesto over the toasted side of the bread, followed by 2 cups of spaghetti sauce. Top with the roasted eggplant slices. Top each eggplant slice with a 1/4-inch slice of mozzarella. Dollop each stack with a little more of the red sauce. Bake: Bake until the mozzarella is melted and is starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan. Return to the oven for a quick minute or two for the Parmesan to warm through. Slice and Serve: Slice each half of the bread into 5 to 6 pieces, with each piece having its own eggplant and cheese stack. Garnish with torn fresh basil, if using, and serve.

What to Serve with Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich

This Eggplant Parmesan sandwich works well for dinner alongside a bright and crunchy salad, like this Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad that’s on the table in 5 minutes.My absolute favorite way to serve these open-faced eggplant parmesan sandwiches, though, is as easy finger food at a party. Load up a big spread with other quick bites that are perfect for snacking in between conversations, like Stuffed Dates, Prosciutto e Melone, and Radish With Butter and Salt. If you’d like to mix up the flavors and presentation, try a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top.