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+ servings

Greek Eggplant Moussaka

A traditional Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, spiced meat, and creamy béchamel sauce.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Eggplant Layer
  • 2 large eggplants sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
  • 1 teaspoon salt for sweating the eggplants
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes about 14 ounces
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk heated
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Method
 

Prepare the Eggplant
  1. Sprinkle the sliced eggplants with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and grill or bake until tender and lightly browned.
Make the Meat Sauce
  1. In a frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
  2. Add ground meat, cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Prepare the Béchamel Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Gradually whisk in the heated milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, beaten eggs, nutmeg, and salt.
Assemble and Bake
  1. In a baking dish, layer half of the eggplant, followed by the meat sauce, then the remaining eggplant.
  2. Pour the béchamel sauce over the top and smooth it out. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
  3. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Moussaka can be made ahead of time and reheated. It tastes even better the next day.

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