Typically, eggplant parmesan involves quite a few steps and is loaded with lots of fat and carbs. We’ve found a way to lighten up the dish and cut down the prep time without losing any of the comforting flavor. Your family will be thrilled to see this treat in your weekly rotation thanks to the Instant Pot.
Eggplant Parmesan Casserole in the Instant Pot
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- Instant pot
- 6 or 7 in fat daddio cheesecake pan
- Trivet that came with the Instant Pot
- Sheet of foil to cover the cheesecake pan
- Glass lid to cover Instant Pot
- Foil sling to transfer pan in and out of Instant Pot
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 medium eggplant cut into ½ in slices
- 1 large bell pepper cut into medium chunks-any color
- ½ large onion cut into ½ in slices
- 1 large jar of your favorite pasta/marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper(more or less per preference)
Instructions
- Slice the eggplant and sprinkle with salt and set aside while prepping other ingredients
- To the marinara sauce, add the italian seasonings and cayenne pepper and set aside
- Turn on the Instant Pot to SAUTE mode
- Wait until the display reads “HOT”
- Add oil to the pot
- Add in the onions and peppers, cover with glass lid and saute for 5-6 mins
- Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot
- To the cheesecake pan/casserole, add a layer of the marinara sauce
- Drain/wipe any excess water off the eggplant
- Add sliced eggplant to cover the sauce layer
- Add a layer of sauteed onions and peppers
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella
- Sprinkle a layer of parmesan cheese
- Add another layer of marinara sauce and continue layering until the pan is full
- Gently tent the foil over the cheesecake pan/casserole
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot
- Add water
- Using the foil sling, gently lower the cheesecake pan/casserole into the Instant Pot
- Close and lock the lid on the Instant Pot
- Turn the vent to sealing to prevent steam from escaping
- Press MANUAL on the Instant Pot (HIGH pressure)
- Set timer to 11 minutes
- Once the timer goes off allow the pressure to naturally release (NPR) about 3-5 mins
- After 3-5 minutes turn the vent on top of the lid to venting to release the steam
- The silver prong will drop back into the lid once the pressure has released
- Press CANCEL on the Instant Pot
- Carefully open the lid
- Allow the steam to disperse
- Using the foil sling, carefully remove the casserole onto a dish
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Serving suggestion
Serve with garlic bread or your favorite salad.
Variations
You may add additional vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
Place the cheesecake pan/casserole dish under the broiler if you want the cheese to be browned.
Make your own marinara sauce
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION
Omit the onions and use a marinara without onions or garlic.
VEGAN VARIATION
Omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese instead.
Serve with garlic bread or your favorite salad.
Variations
You may add additional vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
Place the cheesecake pan/casserole dish under the broiler if you want the cheese to be browned.
Make your own marinara sauce
NO ONION/NO GARLIC VARIATION
Omit the onions and use a marinara without onions or garlic.
VEGAN VARIATION
Omit the cheese or use a vegan cheese instead.
