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Traditional Moussaka

Irresistible Traditional Moussaka Recipe to Savor at Home

Discover the flavors of the Aegean with this traditional moussaka recipe, featuring layers of eggplant, meat, and béchamel.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 slices
Course: Casserole
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Eggplant and Potatoes
  • 2 Eggplants (Aubergines) Choose large, uniform sizes for even cooking.
  • 2 Potatoes Optional but recommended for texture and flavor.
For the Meat Sauce
  • 500 grams Ground Meat (Beef or Lamb) Traditional recipes use lamb, beef or a mix works too.
  • 1 medium Onion Use yellow or white onions for best results.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Freshly minced enhances aroma and depth.
  • 400 grams Tomatoes (Chopped or Puree) Use fresh or canned without added sodium.
  • 150 ml Red Wine Omit for non-alcoholic option or substitute with broth.
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil Opt for extra-virgin for the best taste.
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 100 grams Butter Melt before adding flour.
  • 100 grams Flour Use gluten-free flour if needed.
  • 500 ml Milk Lactose-free milk can be used.
  • 100 grams Cheese (Parmesan or Gruyère) Substitute with vegan cheese if desired.
  • 2 large Egg Yolks Omit for a vegan béchamel.
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming the dish.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Skillet
  • baking dish
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds and sprinkle generously with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out bitterness.
  2. Rinse the slices under cold water, pat dry, and set aside.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Toss the sliced potatoes and eggplant with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes until slightly tender.
  4. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic for 5 minutes until soft.
  5. Add the ground meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Deglaze with red wine, then add chopped tomatoes. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  6. In a saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in cheese, nutmeg, and egg yolks off heat.
  7. In a greased baking dish, layer baked potatoes, half roasted eggplant, meat sauce, remaining eggplants, and top with béchamel sauce.
  8. Bake uncovered for about 60 minutes until top is golden brown and bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Allow moussaka to rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting to enhance flavor melding.

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