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–+ servings

Greek Eggplant Moussaka

A delicious and hearty Greek dish combining layers of roasted eggplant, savory meat sauce, and creamy béchamel sauce. Perfect for special occasions or cozy dinners.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Servings 8 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

Eggplant Preparation

  • 2 large eggplants Sprinkle with salt to draw out moisture.
  • Olive oil Olive oil for roasting Use as needed for brushing.

Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 1 onion, chopped onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Béchamel Sauce

  • 2 cups béchamel sauce
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese For topping the dish.

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley Fresh parsley for garnish To be added before serving.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the eggplants and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.
  • Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and roast in the oven until tender, about 20 minutes.

Cooking

  • In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
  • Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  • In a baking dish, layer half of the roasted eggplant, followed by the meat sauce. Add the remaining eggplant slices on top.
  • Pour béchamel sauce over the layered dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 45 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.

Serving

  • Let it cool for a few minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

To reduce bitterness, always salt the eggplant before cooking. For added flavor, include chopped fresh herbs such as thyme or basil in the meat sauce. Make sure to let the moussaka cool for a few minutes before cutting to help the layers hold together better.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6g
Keyword Béchamel, Comfort Food, Eggplant, Greek Cuisine, Moussaka
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