Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

If I had to make a birthday dinner for my sister, it would probably be...

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

If I had to make a birthday dinner for my sister, it would probably be eggplant parmesan.

She’s a pescatarian, so she’d never have chicken parm, but she’s a freak over eggplant parm.

I’ve never actually made eggplant parm before, so I figured, why not learning how to make eggplant parm, in case I ever want to treat my little sister to a home cooked meal, right? And yes, today’s her birthday!

I always call her my little sister, but she’s really not that little – she’s 27 years old! Well, she turns 27 years old today. Happy birthday, Felicia!

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

Felicia is my only sister. I also have an older brother, David, who’s 33. I’m smack in the middle – I’m 29 (well, 30 in almost 1 month, eek!)

I always call her my little sister, because she’s always been that to me – littler than me! She’s also shorter than me, and will always be a baby to me. But, she’s not a baby anymore – she actually got engaged over the holidays to her now-fiancé, Ben. They live in the building across from ours here in Jersey City, so we get to see them a lot, which we love.

Lu and Ben are close too, and I think Lu secretly (as the youngest of four) always wanted to have a younger sibling.

It’s one big happy family over here. And we’re all going out tonight for a birthday dinner to celebrate!

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

But today’s not about Felicia’s birthday necessarily, it’s about this recipe: eggplant parmesan over zucchini noodles. The eggplant parmesan recipe was tweaked from Molly Gilbert’s new book, One Pan & Done. Molly wrote the crazy best-seller, Sheet Pan Suppers, and now she has come out with a sequel (kinda) that’s all focused on one pan – so not sheet pan, but any type of pan (casserole dish, pot, sheet pan, etc.)

If you’re anything like me and hate cleaning up, this book is for you. If you don’t have many pots and pans, this book is for you. It has approachable, flavorful dishes that are impressively made in literally, just one pan.

This recipe is from the book, but I just tweaked it to use less olive oil and to be gluten-free (I swapped almond meal for panko breadcrumbs.) However you make it, you’re going to love it.

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

Watch our video to learn how to spiralize a zucchini using the Inspiralizer and subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch more videos:

 

Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Spaghetti

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • cups almond flour original recipe calls for panko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • medium eggplants sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds (about 16 slices)
  • 2 24-ounce jars store-bought marinara sauce (I used Victoria Fine Foods)
  • ½ pound sliced provolone cheese about 12 slices
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 6 zucchinis

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F, with a rack in the center position. Line a sheet pan with foil and mist with cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In another medium bowl, stir together the panko, garlic powder, oregano, paprika and salt until combined.
  • Dip each slice of eggplant first into the beaten egg, allowing the excess to drip off, and then into the panko mixture, pressing to coat. Place the coated eggplant slices on the prepared sheet pan, nestling them as close together as possible. Mist the eggplant with cooking spray.
  • Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, carefully flip each slice of eggplant, and evenly distribute one jar of the marinara sauce over the slices. Top with the provolone cheese and Parmesan. Return to the oven and bake until the eggplant is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • While eggplant cheese melts, spiralize the zucchinis with blade D and trim the noodles with kitchen shears. Place a large wok over high heat and once the wok heats, add the zucchini. Cook the zucchini until heated through to your preference.
  • While zucchini cooks, place the other jar of sauce into a medium pot over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Let cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
  • Serve the eggplant parm hot with a side of zucchini noodles topped with sauce.

Eggplant Parmesan with Zucchini Pasta

with love, Ali

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Recipe Rating




comments

  • So nice to read this lovely post about your little sister :) Happy Birthday to her!
  • I'm excited to try low carb breaded eggplant!
  • Happy birthday to your sister! I attempted roasted eggplant parmesan not long ago, I didn't want bread crumbs on it and didn't want to fry it up. It was really good but I did miss the crunch from the breading so I will definitely try it this way.
  • Can't wait to try this-- as always!!
  • This looks like such a special (but non-scary to cook) meal! Happy birthday to your sis :)
  • Ali, do you know the Weight Watcher's smart points on this eggplant/parm recipe? I love that you always include the smart points, it helps me on "my journey".... love your recipes...
  • Thought of this blog the other day as Victoria Fine Foods tomato sauce is now available at my local C-Town in Inwood! Good excuse to grab a jar; I can make this. :-)
  • I'm disappointed that this giveaway isn't open to Canadian residents, I'm a huge fan of your blog and of Molly's first book. Would be nice to see giveaways available to your Canadian fans!
    • I second that! You have a lot of devoted Canadian fans up here. I have the inspiralizer and both cookbooks, and bought my mom an inspiralizer and cookbook for xmas (and we both had the 'other' spiralizer already!) I always feel so left out whenever there's a giveaway. :( More related to your post, though... I am a pescatarian, too, and also love eggplant parm! YUM.
      • It's not up to me unfortunately, it's the one who is giving away the book/cocotte! I apologize.
  • I'm an eggplant parm lover too. Can't wait to try this healthier version!!
  • Looks delicious! Can"t wait to try it!
  • I LOVE eggplant parm! Cannot wait to make this!!
  • I love eggplant parm and can't eat it at restaurants because I am gluten free so this is perfect!!
  • I'm always hesitant to make eggplant because I don't want to wait for it to release moisture. I don't have to do that here so I definitely want to try this recipe!!
  • One of my favorite dishes to order out--I've not had good luck with making delicious eggplant at home. This looks so good and easy, I've giving it a try! Happy birthday to your sister!
  • Happy B'day to your little sister.,congrats to the newly engaged couple. Nice recipe, can't wait to get my inspiralizer, supposed to ship today. Been enjoying the recipes on instagram.
  • Love eggplant parm - can't wait to try this healthier way! Thanks Ali!
  • can't wait to try this recipe!
  • It's my birthday today also!! I am slightly older than your little sister! lol Thank you for all the wonderful recipes :-)
  • This is one of my favorite things to order out so I am very excited to try making it with a spiralized twist!
  • Ali, Happy day. week, month, year to you and your sister....... a day's not enough. Glad you have devised this, many thanks! It would perhaps make sense to slightly increase..... this calls for 1.5 eggplant. I would use all of the second one and adjust as needed. Curious if this is what you did too. warm best Ruth
  • Love the adaptations. I have lots of food allergies and can easily modify a lot of your recipes to fit my needs. I am allergic to nuts so I will try cornmeal!
  • Ali, Happy day. week, month, year to you and your sister....... a day's not enough. Yes! I would love to have this particular cook book and the cocotte..... Glad you have devised this, many thanks! It would perhaps make sense to slightly increase..... this calls for 1.5 eggplant. I would use all of the second one and adjust as needed. Curious if this is what you did too. warm best Ruth
  • I love eggplant parm, but haven't had it because I can't eat gluten. Thanks for the idea to use almond flour. I'm going to be making this soon.
  • Ohh, eggplant parm is my sister-in-law's favorite meal, I'll have to try this next time she's in town!
  • I am also a GF pescaterian so was really excited to see this usually gluten-full recipe GF friendly. :)
  • Instructions indicate to add olive oil to "breading" mixture but I don't see olive oil on ingredients list. Thank you.
    • No olive oil needed, recipe has been updated! Thanks for catching that!
  • Yum! I watched your FB live of you making chicken parm with the chef from Sur La Table, and this vegetarian was wondering if the same principles could be applied to eggplant parm. Excited to try it out!
  • Can't wait to try it!
  • Looks great! Can't wait to try
  • i love substituting almond flour for breadcrumbs, it adds a subtle, nutty flavor. Thanks for sharing! I'm going to check out the cookbooks!
  • making this tonight!!
  • Happy birthday to your sister! This looks so good. I've never made eggplant parm before, but now that you've posted this recipe I'm going to give it a try. :)
  • I have never had eggplant parm and am looking forward to trying this recipe!
  • Hooray, Ali! Thanks so much for this post. I'm fangirling out over here :) xo!
  • So excited to find this recipe! Happy birthday to your sister. :)
  • Yum! I might actually like eggplant with this recipe. Also your recipe mentions oil but it's not in the ingredients section.
  • This recipe looks delicious! Can't wait to make it!
  • what can I use instead of almond meal, I really dont like the taste.
    • The original recipe calls for panko breadcrumbs, if you'd like to use that!
  • So excited to try this. I have been looking for GF recipes and this looks easy and yummy. Thanks!
  • Can't wait to try this!! Looks so delicious!
  • Such a fresh twist on a classic! Looks delicious.
  • Can't wait to try this
  • This looks great! The almond meal adds protein and friendly fat too. However, I will point out for those of you who can't or won't use nut meal, that gluten-free panko is available. Is it the ONLY panko I keep in the house.
  • Panko is in the instructions still! Oops! Looks lovely! Love the texture of eggplant! Yum fun ahead! I am using our amazing made-in-Australia Green Banana flour, which would go well too for breading! Have you discovered it yet? Works so well in so many ways and is GF. https://www.naturalevolutionfoods.com.au/ I also have Molly's first book!
  • I have spiralized for a few years & have always loved your blog. Since you're such a healthy food advocate, please tell me why we don't have the nutrients for your recipes. Some include it, some don't. Also, your older recipes really broke it down in a complete way. I miss the nutrients, they are very important to me.
    • I agree with Jana, I too miss the Nurtitional outline that usually comes with the recipe....I also miss the Weight Watchers Smart Points usually posted along with a recipe. It helps me keep track better....
  • This recipe looks fantastic. I'm always looking for a new twist on old favorites.
  • Looks delicious! I need to get some eggplant on the grocery list :)
  • I love inspiralized! I use at least 1 recipe a week. I love that recipes are geared for vegetarians and vegans now! Thank you! This is the best site ever!
  • I also love to adjust new recipes and have recently chosen a pegan meal plan, a mix of paleo and vegan. Coconut flour is also a great "breading" meal ;) Thanks for your blog of great recipes with all the pictures, they're interesting, pretty, and DELICIOUS!
  • The recipe and cookbook look awesome!
  • This is something I will be making for Lenten Friday's. Thanks.
  • I'm excited to try! I'm GF too. I actually have some GF panko, I'm going to try that.
  • Looks delicious! Definitely cooking this recipe!
  • I can't wait to make this!
  • We love eggplant parm at our house. Making it this week. Thanks.
  • I can't wait to make this it looks delish. I am so happy I found your website. I'd never knew how good vegetables could be until I started making your recipes, and I'm losing weight. I have a disease that is very hard on my joints and the extra weight is not good for me at all. I am very grateful for all your hard work. It is benefiting me so much. Thank you, thank you and thank you again?
  • That looks delicious!
  • Yum!!! I am continued to be amazed at all your tasty recipes, thank you and keep it up!
  • Oh, yum!
  • Great recipes it's hard cooking gluten free and you have no choice but to eat gluten free ?
  • This looks great ---- just added eggplant to my shopping list. And I'm all for the easy cleanup too!
  • I can’t wait to make this tonight!!!
  • The recipe looks fantastic! I've wanted a Staub dish for some time.
  • This looks delicious!
  • I love eggplant! What a great lighter version of eggplant parm
  • I would love to win this Cookbook + Staub Cocotte giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!
  • This looks like perfection.
  • Do you know nutritional info?
  • I have never made Eggplant Parmesan and I've only had it a couple of times at a restaurant. This recipe looks nice and light, great for the summer. I know I will love it. My husband on the other hand may want me to do him a chicken breast, which is fine.
  • Could you sub coconut flour for almond flour? my boyfriend is allergic to almonds!
  • Oh! I love Molly! And this recipe looks amazing, I need to see if I could make it work dairy free. I have your cook book too, love my spiralized zucchini!
  • looks amazing!
  • I am making this tonight!!!!!
  • Recipe sounds delicious!
  • I made this and loved it! I used Panko because I had some I needed to get rid of. But my husband, who is a cook and makes a good eggplant parmesan of his own (but much greasier), really liked it and even asked how I made it. I will be making this again and again. Thanks!
  • I just made this except I half sauteed/deep fried them in coconut oil in a cast iron pan. I wouldn't use cooking spray unless there is some kind of super healthy stuff out there of which I'm not aware. But thank you for the recipe! It was my first time making spiralized zucchini noodles and they were awesome and so easy! I liked the almond flour crust, I might try adding some coconut flour next time too but the almond was good ~ almost like real flour. Your sister is very lucky to have you!
  • Made this last night for my family. It was amazing and a hit with everyone.!! I used almond flour in place of the panko...so good