How to Reheat Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant parmesan is a delicious dish we all love, but reheating it is no easy task. We’ve tested several different methods of reheating and came up with the ones that work best. To transform dry leftovers into an amazing dish that tastes delicious, read our few simple tips.
How do you reheat eggplant parmesan in the best way possible? The best methods involve using the microwave and periodically checking on the dish, or using the oven at 350°F. There is a lot of detail that goes into truly drawing out the taste of eggplant parmesan, but these are the two basic methods.
Simply knowing how to put a dish in the microwave or in the oven is not quite enough to ensure that it will taste just as before.
We’ve done some extensive testing ourselves, and we know that eggplant parmesan is amazing when done right. If you want to aim for excellence, read our full guide on reheating eggplant parmesan.
How to Reheat Eggplant Parmesan Leftovers
We, along with millions of other people, absolutely love eggplant parmesan. It’s an amazing dish loved by entire families, and it has another great upside: it tastes just as good on day two, provided you reheat it the right way.
In this day and age, when we’re all busy, leftovers are a lifesaver on weeknights. We know that the last thing you feel like doing after a long day at work is cooking from scratch. But do you enjoy the taste of leftovers? If the answer is “not always”, we’re sure we can help you out with this guide.
Eggplant parmesan, despite its many virtues, has a tendency to feel a bit dry if you heat it up the wrong way. It’ll still taste great, but it won’t resemble the wonderful dish you and your family had the previous night.
If something goes really wrong, the cheese may even burn a bit – which some people love, but it does take away from the original taste of the dish.
Eggplants are not the easiest to reheat or preserve. They’re notorious for absorbing water and oil, and if you don’t preserve them soon after cooking, they might go bad quickly. However, it’s just as crucial that you reheat it properly as that you store it safely.
If you really want to take your eggplant parmesan game to the next level and impress everyone, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the methods we’ve found to be the best for reheating eggplant parmesan:
- In an over: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Transfer the eggplant parmesan to an oven-safe dish and heat it up until it’s fully warmed (check the inside too.)
- In a microwave: Simply transfer the dish to a microwavable container, put the lid on it but leave it askew, and microwave. You should do this in 90-second intervals on high settings and stop when you’re satisfied with the warmth.
These are just the basic steps: the introduction to our methods if you will. If you want to learn all of the helpful tips and tricks we’ve prepared for you, read on to our full step-by-step guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reheating Eggplant Parmesan
You’ve probably already used the oven or the microwave for reheating your eggplant parmesan, and if you weren’t satisfied with the results, you’ve come to the right place. We will give you a full guide on how to bring out the best taste of your dish without spending much time in the kitchen.
We know that feeling when you come home after a long day and have next to no energy to cook. This is what leftovers are for. But if you wince at the thought of having to eat the same thing you did last night, except tasting slightly worse, we recommend that you read our step-by-step guide.
You’re just a few quick steps away from the best leftovers you’ve ever had. Familiarize yourself with our full methods.
How to Reheat Eggplant Parmesan in a Microwave
Reheating in a microwave is great if you enjoy your eggplant parmesan soft. The oven will achieve a better texture, but a microwave will heat the dish thoroughly and leave it nice and chewy.
- Begin by transferring the dish into a microwave-safe container, such as a quart container or a glass one.
- If you want the dish to be extra amazing, consider adding some fresh parmesan on top of what you’ve already had.
- Cover the dish with a lid (make sure it’s non-metallic like this one from Amazon), but leave it askew to allow the heat inside.
- Microwave for 90 seconds and then check the dish. You can flip specific pieces over to check if they’re heated all the way through.
- Repeat the microwaving process, checking every 90 seconds until you’re satisfied.
- Enjoy your dish in just a few minutes time!
How to Reheat Eggplant Parmesan in an Oven
As mentioned above, reheating eggplant parmesan in an oven generally nets a better texture – but this is up to you. If you like the dish to be slightly crunchy and not too soft, then the oven, while more time-consuming, is still going to be your best bet.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Transfer all of the eggplant parmesan to an ovenproof dish. Be gentle, so as not to let it fall apart.
- If you want to add some extra cheese or spices, you can do so now.
- Cover the dish in aluminum foil. Make sure it’s wrapped tight.
- Heat the dish for 10 minutes.
- Remove your eggplant parmesan and check it, flipping parts of it over to ensure it’s heated through and through. You can also use a temperature checker.
- If you feel like the dish could use a bit more heat, put it back in the oven for up to 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
If you want to achieve an even better-tasting dish, we recommend trying out these few tips that will truly enhance the taste of your leftover eggplant parmesan.
- If you want to add extra sauce prior to reheating, you can! Here is how to do it:
- Put some extra sauce in the container or dish that you’re planning to use.
- Add the eggplant parmesan leftovers.
- Heat up as normal in your chosen method.
- Adding some cheese is another way to give your eggplant parma an extra amazing taste. You don’t have to stick to the same kind of cheese. You can mix them up for a stronger taste.
- If you want to really bring out the best taste of your dish, here’s a little tip. At the end of warming it up, run the dish under a broiler.
- If you are making enough eggplant parmesan to preserve leftovers, first ask yourself – are you keeping it in the fridge overnight, or freezing it? If you’re freezing your eggplant parmesan, consider using recipes that don’t call for the use of ricotta or cottage cheese. Such cheeses don’t freeze very well and may not taste great after defrosting.
- Eggplants have a strong tendency to absorb oil and water. Salt them and drain them before you add other ingredients.
- If you’re freezing your eggplant parmesan, remember that the way you thaw it is equally important as the way you reheat it. We recommend leaving it in the refrigerator overnight. Microwave thawing is an option as well.
- To freeze your eggplant parmesan at just the right time, freeze it about 2-3 hours after cooking. If stored well, you can keep it in the freezer for up to 5 weeks. A good tip is that you write the date of freezing on the container – that way, you will never have to second guess yourself.
- The reason why it’s important to freeze the eggplant parmesan dish so soon after cooking is that the longer you wait, the higher the chance of bacteria setting in the dish.
Related Questions
Can I Eat Eggplant Parmesan Leftovers Cold?
You can! We recommend heating them up, but many people actually prefer to eat them cold. However, if you want your eggplant parma to taste great, don’t eat it straight out of the fridge. Remove the dish from the fridge, keep it covered, and wait for about 20-30 minutes. When it reaches room temperature, eat it.
How Long Can You Store Eggplant Parmesan in the Fridge?
If it’s properly stored, you can keep it anywhere between 3 and 5 days. We recommend using an air-tight container that helps you preserve the dish in good condition. If you suspect you may not eat it for another 5 days, you can always freeze it. For this, we also recommend using an air-tight container.
What Are Some Things to Serve With Eggplant Parmesan?
Most people opt for a green salad, which really enhances the taste and texture of the dish. You could add some black olives, a helping of parmesan, salami, and a light Italian dressing. Alternatively, you could steam some broccoli or asparagus. If it’s green, it’ll fit!