Eggplant parmesan and grilled cheese sandwiches are two ultimate comfort foods. So what happens when you combine the two? As you'll see in the recipe below, a taste explosion that is absolute heaven. It's everything you want out of both dishes, all wrapped up in one neat little package.
You could go the route of breading and frying the eggplant just as you would if you were to sit down to a big plate of eggplant parm. But with the bread already encasing the eggplant, it doesn't really seem necessary. And even though roasting it probably takes just about as much time, it's largely inactive time. So it's even easier to enjoy this comfort sandwich!
Eggplant parm grilled cheese
2 sandwiches
5 minutes
55 minutes
60 minutes
1/2 eggplant, sliced thinly lengthwise
2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 thick slices of Italian bread
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup marinara sauce
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Lay the eggplant slices on the wire rack and season both sides liberally with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the eggplant to release some of its moisture. Then rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and brush with the olive oil. Lightly season with salt and then place in the oven for 20 minutes to roast. Flip the eggplant slices and then place them back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Butter one side of each slice of Italian bread generously with butter. Place two side by side in a frying pan and top with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and two eggplant slices. Top with a bit more marinara sauce and more mozzarella cheese. Place one piece of bread, butter-side up, on top of each sandwich.
Turn the heat on under the skillet to medium. Let the sandwiches cook for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for another 3 or 4 minutes, until that side too, is golden brown. Remove from heat and let sit for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
