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Moussaka Recipe

Moussaka Recipe

Traditional Greek baked casserole made with eggplant, seasoned ground meat, tomato sauce, and creamy béchamel.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large eggplants sliced into ½ inch rounds
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground lamb
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and roast eggplant slices with olive oil until tender.
  2. Cook onion and garlic then brown the ground meat.
  3. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper and simmer.
  4. Melt butter and whisk with flour then gradually add milk to make béchamel.
  5. Stir egg yolks and Parmesan into the béchamel sauce.
  6. Layer eggplant and meat sauce in a baking dish then pour béchamel on top.
  7. Bake at 375°F for 40–45 minutes until golden.
  8. Rest 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Roasting eggplant reduces excess oil
  • Let the casserole rest before slicing
  • Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best flavour
  • Can be made a day ahead and baked later
  • Freezes very well for meal prep