Classic Eggplant Parmesan

Classic Eggplant Parmesan, or 'Melanzane alla Parmigiana', is a beloved Italian dish originating from Southern Italy, particularly Naples and Sicily. It features layers of breaded and fried eggplant slices alternated with rich tomato sauce and melted cheeses like mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then baked until bubbly and golden.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is typically high in fat and carbohydrates due to the frying and cheese, with a moderate amount of protein from the cheese and eggplant. A standard serving provides calcium, vitamins A and C from the tomato sauce, and fiber from the eggplant, with a rough calorie range of 400-600 per generous portion.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	14 g
Carbs	28 g
Fat	20 g
Fiber	6 g
Sugar	8 g
Sodium	680 mg
Calcium	280 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	420 mg
Vitamin A	150 RAE
Vitamin C	12 mg
Vitamin B12	0.8 mcg
Phosphorus	220 mg
Selenium	12 mcg

Per 1 serving (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a prime example of Italian 'cucina povera' (peasant cooking), transforming humble ingredients into a luxurious feast. Nutritionally, the eggplant itself is low-calorie and rich in antioxidants like nasunin, which may be partially offset by the frying method in traditional preparations.