Mousaka

Dive into the rich, indulgent layers of classic Moussaka, a traditional Mediterranean dish that combines tender roasted eggplant, a fragrant spiced meat sauce, and a velvety béchamel topping. Perfectly seasoned with cinnamon and allspice, the hearty meat filling—crafted with ground beef or lamb, tomatoes, and a splash of white wine—captures the essence of Greek comfort food. The creamy béchamel, enriched with Parmesan and nutmeg, creates a luscious golden crust that will have your guests asking for seconds. This recipe is a show-stopping bake, ideal for family dinners or special occasions, and pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or crusty bread. With its stunning presentation and irresistible flavors, Moussaka is the ultimate dish to transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean. Perfect for meal prepping or entertaining, it's a must-try for fans of hearty casseroles and layered dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 medium eggplant
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 500 grams ground beef or lamb
• 400 grams canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 125 milliliters dry white wine
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground allspice
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters milk
• 0.25 teaspoons nutmeg
• 2 large egg yolks
• 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs

Directions

Step 1

Slice the eggplants into 1 cm thick rounds, sprinkle both sides with 1 teaspoon of salt, and let them sit in a colander for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

Step 2

Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water to remove the salt, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, brush both sides of the eggplant slices with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and roast them in the oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and lightly browned.

Step 4

While the eggplant is roasting, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 7-10 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, white wine, cinnamon, allspice, and black pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.

Step 7

To make the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Stir in the nutmeg and remove from heat.

Step 8

Let the béchamel sauce cool for 5 minutes, then whisk in the egg yolks and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.

Step 9

To assemble the moussaka, lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly across the bottom to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Layer half of the roasted eggplant slices on the bottom of the dish. Spread the meat sauce evenly over the eggplant, then layer the remaining eggplant slices on top.

Step 11

Pour the béchamel sauce over the top layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula to cover the entire surface.

Step 12

Bake the moussaka in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 13

Let the moussaka rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3402 grams (3402.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3956

Total Fat 284.10g	364%
Saturated Fat 104.60g	523%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.90g
Cholesterol 997mg	332%
Sodium 8873mg	386%
Total Carbohydrate 197.50g	72%
Dietary Fiber 58.50g	209%
Total Sugars 102.40g
Protein 156.30g	313%

Vitamin D 264IU	1318%
Calcium 1703mg	131%
Iron 25mg	138%
Potassium 7098mg	151%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.4%

Protein: 15.7%

Carbs: 19.9%