Description
Classic Greek Eggplant Moussaka is a hearty and comforting layered casserole featuring roasted eggplant, spiced meat sauce, and a rich béchamel topping. It’s a traditional dish loved for its depth of flavor and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500g ground beef or lamb
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and roast for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender. Set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic until translucent. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in red wine (if using), crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in parsley and remove from heat.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Add nutmeg and remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese and beaten egg quickly.
- In a baking dish, layer half the eggplant, all the meat sauce, then the remaining eggplant. Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top.
- Bake for 45 minutes until top is golden and bubbling. Let rest for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Salting and draining the eggplant slices before roasting can help remove bitterness.
- You can substitute ground beef with lentils for a vegetarian version.
- Letting the dish rest before slicing helps it hold its shape better.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Greek Moussaka, Eggplant Casserole, Classic Moussaka, Greek Comfort Food, Layered Eggplant Dish