Eggplant parmesan has very mild taste and texture that may resemble spaghetti squash, which becomes soft and silky when baked. The succulent spongy texture blends well with olive oil and tomato sauce that absorbs into the dish.
Eggplant parmesan is a vegetarian alternate to the meat-based chicken parmesan. While there are many variations of this dish, it typically consists of breaded eggplant, tomato sauce, and parmesan cheese, which pairs magnificently with other dishes.
What to eat with eggplant parmesan? Eggplant parmesan typically served with a warm fresh baguette, garlic bread or some other type of light, crusty bread.
In addition, any salad that includes olives and artichoke, as well as a dressing made from olive oil, will work well with eggplant parmesan.
Cooked vegetables such as grilled zucchini, roasted broccolini, and sautéed green beans are perfect to pair alongside the dish.
Whether the eggplant is only baked or fried beforehand, it can easily become a fan favorite meal. If you are considering eggplant parmesan, this post will explore other items and side dishes that go well together.
What goes well with eggplant parmesan?
Baguettes and other types of crusty bread are great accompaniments to this dish as they are used to soak up any leftover tomato sauce from the eggplant parmesan. Serve this with a green salad, including olives, artichokes, and olive oil dressing for a well rounded meal.
Nuts such as pine nuts, almonds, and pecans go very well with eggplant parmesan.
- Vegetables: olives, artichokes, kale, spinach, potatoes, green beans
- Herbs: basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano
- Nuts: pine nuts, almonds, pecans
- Cheese: mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta cheese
- Bread: baguette, garlic bread, ciabatta, sourdough
- Wine: Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
What meat goes well with eggplant parmesan?
Meat makes a fantastic addition to eggplant parmesan with tomato sauce, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Meat also enhance the flavor with richness and depth that the layers of eggplant absorbs to become even more irresistible.
Try adding one of these meats to the sauce for a protein packed variation:
What pasta serves with eggplant parmesan?
For those who want a higher grade of pasta and want that texture to match perfectly with the eggplant parmesan, use fresh pasta. It will take a little more time than boiling dried noodles, but it is well worth the effort.
The shape and style of pasta serves the sauce with different purposes. Select the pasta to add to the dish or as a side based on personal preference.
What flavor goes well with eggplant parmesan?
Spices such as black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and basil are all good spices for this dish. Consider including saffron, cinnamon, and cumin for something more exotic than the traditional.
Furthermore, it pairs wonderfully with a dry white wine. Sauvignon blanc works very well with the dish, whereas a Chardonnay may not go together well because the oak taste in the wine tends to clash with the earthy eggplant.
In addition, one of the best pairings for this dish is Pinot Grigio.
Here are flavors the go especially well with eggplant parmesan:
- eggplant parmesan + parsley + garlic + bread
- eggplant parmesan + broccoli + garlic
- eggplant parmesan + olive oil + green beans + bacon
- eggplant parmesan + rosemary + ricotta + sweet corn
- eggplant parmesan + mushroom + wine + bell pepper + onion + spinach
Eat with Eggplant Parmesan: Conclusion
There are several ways to cook eggplant when making eggplant parmesan. Some options include grilling, roasting, boiling, baking or frying, each method yields different results and taste profiles.
Eggplant parmesan is a dish enjoyed by many, but it can also be a great dish to experiment with fusion twists.
Either way, slices of baguette, garlic bread or sourdough make an excellent scooper to clean up delicious sauce left on the bottom of the dish.
A fresh chopped salad with olives and artichoke works well with this dish. On the other hand, cooked vegetables including zucchini, broccolini, and green beans add color, texture and wholesome nutrition.
Even though it does not contain any protein, you may add meat to make a filling meal such as Italian sausage, bacon, ground beef, chicken, and meatball.
With the leftover sauce, adding pasta is great alternative other than bread. From spaghetti to penne, there are various noodles for you to experiment with.
Wine, cheese, and nuts, there are a number of ingredients that goes well with eggplant parmesan. Use the tips above to help make a meal with eggplant parmesan that is sure to please.