Grilled Eggplant with Summer Marinara

Ingredients

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (such as Filippo Berio Extra-Virgin), divided
1 small yellow onion (about 8 ounces), chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 (28-ounce) can pomodori pelati (whole peeled tomatoes), preferably San Marzano (such as Cento), undrained
1 (24-ounce) jar passata di pomodoro (tomato puree) (such as Organico Bello) (see Note)
3 1/2 pounds eggplant (about 3 medium eggplants), peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick planks
1/2 cup torn fresh basil, divided, plus whole leaves, for garnish
4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), divided
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated with a Microplane (about 2/3 cup), divided


Directions

Step 1
Heat 1 cup oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until onions are softened and just beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add pomodori pelati and passata di pomodoro. Using a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon, press to flatten tomatoes, breaking into large chunks. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes to ensure sauce is not sticking, until flavors meld, about 1 hour.

Step 2
Uncover tomato sauce. Cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until sauce tightens up and reduces to about 5 1/2 cups. (Oil will rise to the top and shimmer on the surface.) Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature 1 hour. Add 1 tablespoon salt; stir to incorporate salt and oil, creating a thick, glossy sauce. (The bottom of your serving bowls will have a thin layer of red oil that’s perfect for soaking up with bread.) Set sauce aside.

Step 3
Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat a large grill pan over medium-high. Brush pan with remaining 1 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking. Grill eggplant planks in batches, turning often, until tender and grill marks appear, 8 to 12 minutes.

Step 4
Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in bottom of a 12-inch stainless steel skillet. Top with a single layer of eggplant (about 6 pieces); sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons torn basil, and half of the mozzarella. Spoon 1 cup sauce over top, and sprinkle with 1/4-ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano. Repeat layers once, beginning with eggplant and ending with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Top with remaining eggplant slices, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons basil. Spread remaining sauce over top, completely covering eggplant. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons basil and 1/4-ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano. Cover skillet tightly with aluminum foil, and place on a rimmed baking sheet.

Step 5
Place skillet on baking sheet in preheated oven and bake until edges are bubbling (lifting up foil to check), about 1 hour. Uncover and bake until sauce tightens up but doesn’t dry out, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4-ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, and bake until melted, about 3 minutes. Let cool at least 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with whole basil leaves.