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Greek Moussaka

Heavenly Greek Moussaka: A Layered Comfort Food Dream

Indulge in a hearty Greek Moussaka, a layered comfort food dream that combines rich flavors and textures.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 6 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Vegetables
  • 2 Medium Eggplants Choose firm, glossy varieties.
  • 3 Medium Potatoes Sliced into rounds.
  • 2 Medium Zucchini Sliced into rounds.
Meat Sauce
  • 1 Pound Ground Meat (Beef or Lamb) Lamb for traditional flavor, beef for a heartier option.
  • 1 Medium Red Onion Finely chopped.
  • 4 Cloves Garlic Freshly minced.
  • 28 Ounces Crushed Tomatoes Canned.
  • 1/2 Cup Red Wine For deglazing.
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon Key for Greek flavor.
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg Key for Greek flavor.
  • 1 Tablespoon Oregano
  • 1 Teaspoon Thyme
  • 1 Tablespoon Parsley Chopped.
Topping
  • 1 Cup Cheese (Kefalograviera or Parmesan) For a golden crust.
  • 1/2 Cup Butter For béchamel.
  • 1/2 Cup Flour For béchamel.
  • 2 Cups Milk For béchamel.
  • 3 Large Egg Yolks For béchamel.
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg For béchamel.
  • 1/2 Cup Cheese Additional for béchamel.

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Large pot
  • saucepan
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Slice the eggplants, zucchini, and potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. Sprinkle salt over the eggplant slices and let them rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Pat the eggplants dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and fry the eggplant, zucchini, and potatoes in batches.
  4. Drain each batch on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Sauce Preparation
  1. In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté finely chopped red onion until translucent, adding minced garlic afterward.
  2. Add ground meat to the pot and cook until browned. Deglaze with red wine and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes and spices, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  4. In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually whisk in milk until thickened.
  5. Remove from heat and whisk in egg yolks, nutmeg, and cheese.
Assemble
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and meat sauce in a greased baking dish.
  2. Top with béchamel sauce and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  3. Let the moussaka rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Pat dry the salted eggplant before frying and allow the moussaka to rest after baking for better layering.

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