Classic eggplant Parmesan served with a side of spaghetti marinara.

Eggplant Parmesan is a casserole dish made by slicing eggplant thinly and frying it in olive oil. The eggplant is layered successively in a baking casserole with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, parmigiano cheese, and basil.

There are several theories about the origin of eggplant Parmesan. The most obvious is that the name of the dish derives from parmigiano cheese, the predominate cheese used in the dish. Many food writers have voiced suspicion of this explanation because parmigiano is not native to Naples or other regions of southern Italy where eggplant Parmesan is found. They argue that, in fact, the dish originates in Parma in northern Italy, because either Parmesan refers to the city of Parma (which it does) or because the Parmesan cheese is from Parma (which it is).