Moussaka (Greek Beef and Eggplant Lasagna)            

🥘 Moussaka (Greek Beef and Eggplant Lasagna)

📖 Description:

Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish made with layers of juicy ground beef, tender eggplant, and creamy béchamel sauce — like a Mediterranean lasagna! Rich, comforting, and full of flavor, it's perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

🍆 Ingredients:

For the Eggplant Layer:

  • 2–3 large eggplants (sliced into 1cm thick rounds)
  • Olive oil (for brushing or frying)
  • Salt

For the Beef Sauce:

  • 500g ground beef (or lamb)
  • 1 onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 400g canned chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Béchamel Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2½ cups (600ml) milk (warm)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan or Kefalotyri cheese
  • A pinch of nutmeg
  • Salt to taste

🔪 Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Eggplant: Slice the eggplants and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to remove bitterness. Pat dry, brush with olive oil, and bake at 200°C (390°F) for 20–25 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
  2. Cook the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Add tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened. Set aside.
  3. Make the Béchamel Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and stir for 1–2 minutes. Slowly add warm milk, whisking continuously until smooth. Cook until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, nutmeg, salt, and the egg yolk. Mix well.
  4. Assemble the Moussaka: In a baking dish, layer half the eggplant slices. Spread the meat sauce over them. Add the remaining eggplant. Pour the béchamel sauce on top and sprinkle with cheese.
  5. Bake: Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45–50 minutes until golden on top. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes before serving.

👨‍🍳 Tips:

  • Use zucchini or potatoes for variation.
  • Make it vegetarian with lentils or mushrooms.
  • Add a pinch of sugar to balance the tomato acidity.

📌 Category:

  • Meal Type: Lunch / Dinner
  • Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
  • Dish Type: Main Co