Vegan Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Cashew Cheese - Vegan
The Vegan Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Cashew Cheese is a modern twist on a classic Italian comfort dish, thoughtfully crafted to suit plant-based diets. With crispy, herb-crusted eggplant slices nestled in rich, marinara sauce and adorned with creamy, dreamy cashew cheese, this dish is a symphony of flavors and textures that delights both the palate and the eyes.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
In another bowl, whisk together the almond milk and ground flaxseed, letting it sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
Place the flour in a separate bowl. Dip each eggplant slice first in the flour, then the almond milk mixture, and finally coat it with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
While the eggplant bakes, prepare the cashew cheese. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Remove the eggplant from the oven. In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce, then a layer of baked eggplant. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce. Top with dollops of cashew cheese.
Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cashew cheese is slightly golden.