Moussaka recipe: layers of eggplant, potatoes, and a spiced meat sauce nestled in between. Comfort food, Greek-style!
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What is Moussaka
The epitome of Greek comfort food, moussaka is basically a hearty eggplant casserole with a juicy, flavor-packed meat sauce. Topping the meat is either a rich bechamel sauce-- a French influence that was introduced later--or, as in today's Moussaka recipe, a cheese-based topping.
The variations in moussaka recipes go beyond the topping. Some recipes even call for layers of other vegetables like zucchini squash; but more commonly, a layer of thinly sliced potatoes. And of course, I have a vegetarian moussaka option, if that's what you're looking for!
Other Mediterranean countries have moussaka variations as well. Egyptian moussaka-- adapted from our Greek neighbors-- has fried eggplant with minced beef, all smothered in red sauce (no additional topping.) And there is a vegan moussaka, one with eggplant and green peppers as in this Turkish-inspired eggplant dish.
But today, my mind went to the moussaka I had a few years ago in a small family-owned restaurant on the Greek Island of Patmos. So after reviewing several recipes, I came up with today's mousska.
My clever husband made this observation: moussaka to the Greeks is like shepherd's pie to the Americans! Just like shepherd's pie, moussaka is a satisfying casserole that is a meal in itself. You can simply add a side salad and call it dinner.
Here is the step-by-step for today's moussaka recipe:
(Video and Printable Recipe Below)
Spread the eggplant slices in one layer and sprinkle with salt. Let set for 30 minutes to "sweat out" its bitterness.
Pat the eggplant slices dry and assemble in one layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Place the baking sheet on the top oven rack and broil briefly, turning over so that both sides of the eggplant are softened and golden brown (do not worry if parts of the eggplant are slightly charred, but watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Remove from the oven and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Cook the onions on medium heat until they turn slightly golden brown, stirring regularly (about 5 minutes). Now add the ground lamb. Cook the lamb until fully browned, tossing regularly. Drain the lamb from any excess fat and return back to the skillet. Now add the dried oregano, ground cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and hot paprika. Stir to coat the meat with the spices. Add the wine and boil for 1 minute to reduce. Stir in the canned tomatoes, sugar and broth. Simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In the meantime, boil the sliced potatoes in plenty of water until they are completely soft and easily breakable (about 5-7 minutes). Drain the water and set the potatoes aside briefly.
To prepare the cheese topping, whisk the Greek yogurt with the eggs and flour. Add the ricotta and feta cheese and whisk again to combine.
When ready, lightly oil a 9 ½" x 13" oven-safe baking pan. Layer the eggplant slices on the bottom. Add the meat sauce and spread to cover the eggplant. Layer the potato slices to cover the meat sauce and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Finally spread the cheese topping to thinly cover the potatoes.
Bake in the 350 F degree-heated oven for 45 minutes. If you need to, transfer the baking pan to the top rack and broil briefly so that the top of the moussaka gains a nice golden brown color (watch carefully). Remove from the heat and let sit 5-7 minutes before cutting through into squares to serve. Enjoy!
Moussaka: Eggplant Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 pieces 1x
Description
Greek Moussaka is a tasty, hearty eggplant casserole. Layers of eggplant, potatoes, and a spiced meat sauce nestled in between.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into ¼ inch-thick slices, end slices discarded
- Salt
- Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 lb ground lamb (or beef)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp paprika or hot paprika
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 14 oz can diced tomato
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup hot beef broth
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled, very thinly sliced lengthwise
- water
- 4 tbsp dried bread crumbs
Cheese Topping
- ¾ cup fat free Greek yogurt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
- 1 tbsp allpurpose flour
- ½ cup reduced fat ricotta (cream cheese would work if you prefer)
- 3 oz crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Spread the eggplant slices in one layer and sprinkle with salt. Let set for 30 minutes to "sweat out" its bitterness.
- Pat the eggplant slices dry and assemble in one layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil. Place the baking sheet on the top oven rack and broil briefly, turning over so that both sides of the eggplant are softened and golden brown (do not worry if parts of the eggplant are slightly charred, but watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Cook the onions on medium heat until they turn slightly golden brown, stirring regularly (about 5 minutes). Now add the ground lamb. Cook the lamb until fully browned, tossing regularly. Drain the lamb from any excess fat and return back to the skillet. Now add the dried oregano, ground cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and hot paprika. Stir to coat the meat with the spices. Add the wine and boil for 1 minute to reduce. Stir in the canned tomatoes, sugar and broth. Simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In the meantime, boil the sliced potatoes in plenty of water until they are completely soft and easily breakable (about 5-7 minutes). Drain the water and set the potatoes aside briefly.
- To prepare the cheese topping, whisk the Greek yogurt with the eggs and flour. Add the ricotta and feta cheese and whisk again to combine.
- When ready, lightly oil a 9 ½" x 13" oven-safe baking pan. Layer the eggplant slices on the bottom. Add the meat sauce and spread to cover the eggplant. Layer the potato slices to cover the meat sauce and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Finally spread the cheese topping to thinly cover the potatoes.
- Bake in the 350 F degree-heated oven for 45 minutes. If you need to, transfer the baking pan to the top rack and broil briefly so that the top of the moussaka gains a nice golden brown color (watch carefully).
- Remove from the heat and let sit 5-7 minutes before cutting through into squares to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Prepare ahead note: you can prepare and cook the eggplant, meat sauce, and potatoes (steps 1-5) the day before or even a couple days in advance. Place each in its own tightly-shut container and store in the fridge. The day you are ready to serve the moussaka, bring the ingredients to room temperature. Prepare the cheese topping, then assemble the moussaka in an oven-safe dish and bake (steps 6-9).
- Recommended for this recipe: Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil. SAVE! Try our Greek Olive Oil Bundle.
- Recommended for this recipe: Sweet paprika and nutmeg. SAVE! Try our ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle or Create your own 6-pack or 3-pack from our all-natural or organic spice collections.
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Moussaka, Greek Moussaka, Eggplant Casserole, Greek Eggplant Casserole, Moussaka Recipe
More recipes to try
Stuffed Eggplant with Spiced Ground Beef, Bulgur and Pine Nuts
This is a wonderful dish! I made it with ground turkey, it worked out beautifully for me. I particularly love the eggplant in the recipe - no bitterness at all, and I was very hesitant to cook with eggplant before. Your tricks are marvellous! I added a bit more salt to the meat, though, I would say it's necessary. I also added some fresh basil on top, yum! Thank you very much, Suzy!!!
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing your adaptations Marija!
Provided one uses lamb (and not the ground beef option), this recipe leads to a fabulous meat sauce with the perfect combination of spices. However, I am not sure what the creator was thinking for the cheese topping which is both unauthentic and unappetizing. The topping should be replaced simple white bechemel sauce (butter, flour, milk) with the addition of egg yolks and a grated hard cheese. This recipe sort of works if you replace the 3 eggs by egg yolks but if you include whole eggs, it will set into something with quite an unpleasant rubberized texture that is nothing like real Moussaka.
★★★
Completely delicious!!! Thank you!!
★★★★★
I cook for two and this makes 12 servings. Would it be possible to split the recipe and freeze half before it is cooked?
Sure! Hope you enjoy it!!
We loved this Moussaka! I used eggplant and tomato from my garden. The tomato was sliced and layered on top of the lamb. The potato also went in uncooked. Cooking time in the skillet was reduced to about 8 minutes and the oven cook time was increased to one hour. The topping was added after 30 minutes.
We are gluten free, so for the bread crumbs I substituted a 13oz can garbanzo beans, mashed, incorporated into the topping and omitted flour. It browned up very nicely under the broiler.
★★★★★
Thank you so much for sharing this, Steve! Very helpful to other readers. Glad you enjoyed the Moussaka!
My husband loved your Moussaka.! Now, I am going to try your 3 Bean Mediterranean Soup..... Thank you very much,
Dr. Vickie
Yay! Can't wait to hear what you think of the soup! 🙂
I just made this for the first time adding a bit of fresh garlic to the sauce, and using whole fat dairy products. Forget bechamel! This recipe reminds my husband and me of the moussaka we enjoyed on our anniversary on the island of Paros last year! Honestly, I am wondering if Anna and Giorgos in Marpissa use this recipe? Brava, Suzy!
★★★★★
Oh, thank you so much, Jane!!!!
This screams for salt. Needs garlic, too sweet.
★★★
Thanks for sharing, LuAnn! You can definitely adjust the seasonings/spices to suit your taste.
Mousaka has to be one of the top dishes to ever exist, a real example of great world cuisine. I like to think of it as a low-carb version of lasagna (not that I follow that diet). It was a more involved recipe than I am used to, which I welcomed since I always like to learn new techniques just as much as new recipes. All of this came together in the end, and it was a wholesome, delicious, filling meal.
My housemate was won over within the first bite. If that is not a compliment, I have little idea what is. Sure as hell will I be making this one again.
★★★★★
Yay!!!! That's great to hear! Thanks, Mikey!
That was pretty delicious. It had a wonderful unique flavor that i can't tell what from, the cheese or the spice mixture.
★★★★★
Very good. I’ve never made moussaka before and this is definitely a keeper. Because of ingredients I had on hand I substituted ‘beyond beef’ for the beef , sour cream for the yogurt and sweet potato for russet potatoes. Flavors melds really well and everyone had 2-3 helpings.
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for sharing your adaptations!
This recipe can easily be made gluten free. My wife and I loved it. Takes me back to Greece.
★★★★★
Thanks, Mark!