Ingredients
- 25 oz 2 jars or 25 ounces of marinara sauce
- 6 mushrooms
- 21/4 oz olive
- 14 oz fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flake
- 8 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb mild Italian pork sausage
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 medium eggplants
- 4 oz grated parmesan cheese
- 16 oz grated mozzarella cheese
Directions
In a large skillet, bring the marinara sauce, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, Italian seasoning and pepper flakes to a low boil. Simmer while cooking sausage. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink; drain. Chop briefly in food processor to break into small pieces. Stir into sauce; continue to simmer.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Place breadcrumbs in another bowl. Slice eggplant around 1/4-inch thick and dip each slice into egg mixture, then into breadcrumbs. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in over medium heat. Sauté eggplant until golden brown on each side; add additional oil as needed. Place on paper towel to drain.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread some marinara sauce on bottom of a 9-by-13 inch baking dish (to cover the bottom). Layer eggplant on top in 2 to 3 rows. Cover eggplant with remaining sauce. Mix together two cheeses. Sprinkle over top of sauce. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until bubbly, cheese is melted and golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
