Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing, or as needed
• 2 eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• ¼ pound mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• ¾ teaspoon dried basil
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Brush about 2 tablespoons olive oil onto eggplant slices; arrange in a single layer in a shallow baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until eggplant is tender and browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove eggplant from oven and reduce temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat; cook and stir onion, mushrooms, and garlic until onion is softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomato sauce, basil, and oregano; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

Arrange about 1/2 the eggplant slices in a 2-quart casserole dish; top with 1/2 the sauce, 1/2 the mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 the Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering with the remaining ingredients.

Bake in the preheated oven until hot and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Cool for about 5 minutes before serving.