Description
Moussaka is a classic Mediterranean dish, featuring layers of roasted vegetables, a savory meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel topping. This hearty casserole is perfect for family gatherings or a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 large eggplants
- 3 medium zucchini
- 6 medium potatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Meat Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped
- 800 g ground beef
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 4 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 600 g canned diced tomatoes
- 80 ml red wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 40 g shredded Parmesan cheese
Béchamel Sauce:
- 5 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 120 g all-purpose flour
- 1 liter milk
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 80 g shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 egg yolks
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 230°C (445°F). Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare vegetables: Cut eggplant, zucchini, and potatoes into 1-cm slices. Season with salt and drizzle with oil. Arrange on baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.
- Make meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion until translucent, then add ground beef and cook until browned. Add garlic, diced tomatoes, parsley, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for a few minutes. Add canned tomatoes, red wine, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes.
- Make Béchamel sauce: Melt butter and oil in a pot. Add flour and cook for 3-4 minutes. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Add bay leaves, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese, egg, and egg yolks. Stir until well combined.
- Assemble moussaka: In a baking dish, layer eggplant, half of the meat sauce, zucchini, the remaining meat sauce, potatoes, and top with the remaining meat sauce. Pour Béchamel sauce over and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 40-50 minutes, or until golden and baked through.
Notes
Allow the Moussaka to rest for a few minutes before serving to help it set.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
- Category: main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg