Some egg recipes are so simple, but still manage to feel a little special. These Italian baked eggs are one such recipe. Eggs are baked in a flavourful tomato sauce (marinara), topped with parmesan cheese and finished with some fresh herbs. It is simple, comforting and so delicious with some toasted bread.
Baked Eggs Recipe
Baked eggs are my favorite. I have tried this recipe so many times and it has never failed me. It is perfect for breakfast or for brunch. The key for this recipe is to get the pasta sauce perfect. It has to be tangy and slightly sweet at the same time.
My recipe for pasta sauce is perfect and it has a little kick from the chilli flakes as well. And the topping of the parmesan cheese which turns little crispy when baked is just delicious. If you don't have parmesan cheese you can use cheddar cheese as well. Make sure you have few slices of toasted no knead bread to dip into that eggy tomato juice.
About Baked Eggs
Eggs are one ingredient I can never get tired of. I almost always have eggs in my kitchen because they are so easy to cook and you can make them in so many different ways. Omelette, scrambled eggs, egg curry, boiled egg sandwich, pudding, cake and there is always something you can do with eggs.
This Italian baked eggs recipe is a fun way to turn simple eggs into something more delicious. It is inspired by the classic French oeufs en cocotte recipe, where eggs are traditionally baked with cream and simple herbs. For this version, I gave it an Italian twist and swapped the creamy base with flavourful tomato sauce.
It also looks similar to shakshuka or egg drop curry , but the flavours are much simpler and more Italian. I love serving these Italian baked eggs with some toasted bread. The best part is dipping the bread into the tomato sauce and runny egg yolk.
And the baking time depends on you, if you really want the eggs to be runny then 10 mins is perfect, for soft boiled kind of eggs 12 mins is best, for a fully cooked egg, bake it for 15 mins or more.
The recipe is pretty easy as well. Make the tomato sauce with olive oil, onion and garlic. Crack the eggs into the marinara sauce, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and bake until the eggs are just cooked. Finish it with some fresh basil or parsley and it is done.
More Egg Recipes
Ingredients
- Olive oil : Olive oil gives the authentic taste to this dish. You can prefer to use any cooking oil.
- Onion : I like to use onions because when sauted it gives sweet taste.
- Garlic : freshly minced garlic makes a huge difference.
- Tomatoes : I used one can of Crushed tomatoes. You can use tomato puree or even store bought pasta sauce or marinara.
- Herbs - I used red chilli flakes, and basil. You can use oregano, parsley.
- Eggs : For one serving, you need 2 eggs. You can add three as well. Keep a close eye when cooking them. Cook them until the whites are set and the yolks are still slightly runny for the best texture.
- Parmesan cheese : Parmesan is totally for umami taste. You can skip if you don't want to. But I strongly recommend adding it.
- Salt & sugar : Always taste and adjust salt and sugar. Sugar helps cut down the acidity from the canned crushed tomatoes.
Step by Step Pictures
1)Heat olive oil in as pan and let it get hot. Add in chopped onions into the oil.
2)Cook onions till it gets translucent. Now add in chopped garlic.
3)Add in dry red chilli flakes and dried basil.
4)Stir into the onion garlic mixture.
5)Add in one can of crushed tomatoes and ½ cup of water. I like to add ½ cup water into the can and swirl it well. Pour this into the sauce.
6)Stir the tomatoes into the onion garlic mixture.
7)Season the salt.
8)Add in sugar. Sugar balance the taste and cuts down the acidity of the canned tomatoes.
9)Cover and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
10)Now the thick marinara sauce is ready. Add in coriander leaves and mix well.
11)Sauce done.
12)take oven safe baking dish.
13) Add sauce into the baking dish.
14)Use the back of the spoon to make 2 wells for the eggs.
15)Crack open eggs and add them to each hole.
16)Sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese.
17)I added some coriander leaves too.
18)Place this into the oven and Bake for 10 to 12 mins.
19)Now remove it and serve with crunchy toasted bread.
Expert Tips
Cooking Techniques - Cook the onions until they turn soft before adding the tomatoes. This adds a nice sweet flavour to the tomato sauce. Also you can use marinara sauce for flavour packed dish.
About Eggs - Crack each egg into a small bowl first and then add it to the sauce. This makes it easier to remove any shell pieces and helps keep the eggs intact. Keep an eye on the eggs while baking. Bake until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to a slightly runny consistency.
Oven Safe - Use an oven safe skillet or baking dish for this recipe.
Finishing Touches - Finish the dish with some freshly chopped basil or parsley just before serving. It adds a lovely fresh herby flavour and makes the eggs look even more appetizing.
Storage - Italian baked eggs taste best when served fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, let them cool and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Serving - Serve the baked eggs with toasted whole wheat focaccia or any Italian no knead bread.
FAQ
Q. Can I use store bought marinara sauce ?
Yes, you can use either homemade or store bought marinara sauce. If using store bought sauce, choose a good quality one since it gives most of the flavor to the dish.
Q. Can I use other cheese instead of parmesan ?
Yes, you can use mozzarella, cheddar or any other cheese that melts well. You can also use a mix of different cheeses for a more indulgent flavour.
Q. Can I make Italian baked eggs without an oven ?
Yes. You can cook the eggs covered on the stovetop over low heat until the whites are completely set and the cheese melts well.
Q. How do I get runny egg yolks ?
For runny yolks, avoid overcooking the eggs. Start checking them early and take the pan out once the whites are set but the yolks are still soft.
📖 Get Recipe
Italian Baked Eggs Recipe (Baked Eggs in Marinara Sauce)
Equipment
Ingredients
For Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 large White Onion peeled and chopped finely
- 4 cloves Garlic peeled and chopped finely
- 1 can Crushed Tomatoes
- ½ cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Dried Red Chilli Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Coriander leaves or Parsley finely chopped
For Baked Eggs
- 4 large Eggs
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 tablespoon Coriander leaves or Parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degree C (360 degree F). Take 2 oven safe baking dish or shallow ramekins ready.
- Start by making marinara sauce. Heat olive oil in a pan, add in onions and cook them till onions starts to turn light golden.
- Now add in garlic, red chilli flakes and dried basil and sauté for a min or so.
- Now add in crushed tomatoes and water and cook them down till the sauce is thick.
- Now add in salt, sugar to taste and mix well. Now add in fresh coriander leaves and mix well. This is your marinara sauce.
- Take the two baking dish and divide this sauce between the two baking dish.
- Use the back of the spoon to make 2 wells for the eggs. Crack open 2 eggs in each hole. Sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese and coriander leaves.
- Place this into the oven and Bake for 10 to 12 mins. Now remove it and serve with crunchy toasted bread.
Nutrition
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deeps
This looks very yummy aarti. If ww use fresh tomatoes, we need to boil them and then crush them? The way we make a soup?
Aarthi
@deepsyes u can use fresh, first blanch them in boiling water, peel the skin and chop them up and add
Anonymous
Hi..Aarthi..I m a big fan of your recipes.Every recipe I have tried till now turns out great.
I wanted to try this recipe but not sure that how many
fresh tomatoes should I use in this dish.Please tell me.
Thank you
Anonymous
Hi Aarthi..I am a big fan of your recipes.Till now I have tried many recipes..and
All of them turned out great. I wanted to make this dish..Can you please tell
Me that how many fresh tomatoes should I use if not using canned tomatoes.
Thank you ��
Aarthi
@Anonymoususe 3 chopped tomatoes
Anonymous
Hey..pls let me know how can make this in microwave pls.
Aarthi
@Anonymousu need convection mode for that or cook for a min in microwave