Comfort food doesn’t get better than this traditional Greek moussaka recipe with layers of tender roasted eggplant, a rich sauce made with ground lamb or beef, and a creamy bechamel topping. Get all my tips for how to make moussaka perfectly every time.
Today we’re talking moussaka, a sublime Greek casserole with layers of tender eggplant, a flavorful meat sauce, and topped with creamy bechamel. It’s rich, decadent and seasoned with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano and paprika.
Even though Greek moussaka is not difficult to make, it is a bit time consuming. The good news is, with a little planning, you can prepare it ahead of time and moussaka is one of those dishes where the flavors only get better with time.
It’s an excellent make-head option for a weekend gathering or holiday meal. If you’ve been looking for a comfort food recipe that friends and family will request on repeat, moussaka is the recipe to wow them.
Table of Contents
- What is moussaka?
- Ingredients to make moussaka
- How to prepare eggplant for moussaka?
- Should you salt eggplant for moussaka?
- Potatoes: Yea or nay?
- What is moussaka meat sauce?
- Greek bechamel sauce!
- How to make moussaka
- What to serve with moussaka
- Make ahead tips for moussaka
- Not a meat eater? Try vegetarian moussaka
- How to store and reheat leftovers
- Can you freeze eggplant moussaka?
- More comforting eggplant recipes to try
- Moussaka: Eggplant Casserole Recipe
What is moussaka?
The epitome of Greek comfort food, moussaka (pronounced moo-sa-ka’a) is a hearty eggplant casserole with a flavor-packed meat sauce, and finished with a topping of rich creamy bechamel sauce.
Many wonder what the difference is between moussaka and lasagna, and it’s quite simple! Lasagna is made with layers of pasta, while moussaka is made with layers of vegetables.
There are variations of eggplant moussaka, some use potatoes or even zucchini squash. In Egypt, we ditch the bechamel topping and simply serve a deconstructed version with fried eggplant smothered in tomato sauce (it looks something like this vegan fried eggplant recipe).
Today, we’re going to stick closer to classic moussaka with all the delicious layers involved.
Ingredients to make moussaka
A classic Greek moussaka recipe has three key components: sliced eggplant, the meat sauce, and the bechamel sauce. Here are the ingredients you need to make each of the layers:
For the eggplant layer
- Eggplant sliced lengthwise into ¼-inch slices
- Extra virgin olive oil
For the meat sauce layer
- Yellow onion
- Ground lamb or ground beef
- Seasonings: oregano, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, paprika or hot paprika
- Red wine
- Canned diced tomato
- Sugar
- Beef broth
For the bechamel sauce layer
- Extra virgin olive oil
- All-purpose flour
- Nutmeg
- Milk
- Eggs
How to prepare eggplant for moussaka?
If I had to choose a favorite vegetable, it’d probably be eggplant. Whether I’m roasting it to tender perfection, making an easy baba ganoush, or layering it with meat sauce and bechamel, like in today’s moussaka recipe, I can always rely on my trusty eggplant to deliver on flavor.
Because eggplant is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, preparing it properly is important. Here are some tips for how to prep eggplant for moussaka:
- Use large eggplants. Larger eggplants will yield large slices, which make it easier to form layers.
- You don't need to peel the eggplant before cutting it.
- Slice the eggplant lengthwise into ¼-inch pieces. Place the eggplant on a clean cutting board and hold it in place with your non-dominant hand. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut it into ¼-inch slices and discard the end pieces.
- Salt the eggplant for the best flavor.
- Broil the eggplant. Broiling the eggplant is a major shortcut because the eggplant will cook quickly. The charred bits from broiling the eggplant result in a great flavor.
Should you salt eggplant for moussaka?
This is a hotly debated topic among cooks, and many do not believe you need to salt eggplant. But there are two reasons I believe salting the eggplant helps:
- Salt helps to draw out excess moisture, so that when your moussaka bakes, it won’t be swimming in liquid. Salted eggplant also has a nice creamy texture, which works really well in moussaka.
- Eggplant can be quite bitter. Salt helps to remove that bitterness, making eggplant more palatable.
To salt the eggplant, simply sprinkle salt onto the slices and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Then, pat the eggplant dry to remove excess salt and moisture.
Potatoes: Yea or nay?
Yes, you can use potato instead of eggplant in moussaka, or use them both! I have seen recipes where eggplant is omitted completely in favor of sliced potatoes, or potatoes and eggplant are both used for layering. Opt for starchy potatoes like russet or Idaho potatoes and do the following:
- Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch rounds.
- Place the potato slices on a large sheet pan brushed with olive oil.
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, season them with salt, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until tender.
- Note that cooking time for the potatoes to be tender will be different than eggplant.
What is moussaka meat sauce?
The rich, thick meat sauce in this moussaka recipe is sure to be a hit in your home! I use ground lamb because it is such a flavorful type of meat, but beef would be a good substitute, and would still yield decadent results.
The ground lamb is spiced with warming cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, pepper, and dried oregano. For some delicious umami, I add a generous amount of canned tomatoes followed by wine and beef broth – both powerhouses of flavor!
A teaspoon of sugar helps to mellow the acidity but maintains the different levels of flavor in this classic moussaka recipe.
Greek bechamel sauce!
French bechamel sauce (or white sauce) is made with butter, flour, and milk. The result is a gorgeous creamy sauce, thick but still slightly runny.
Greek bechamel or besamel (beh-sah-mel), which is what is used in moussaka contains eggs, which, when baked, results in a sauce that sets firmly. So when you cut your moussaka into slices for serving, the bechamel sauce shouldn't run.
If you avoid gluten or dairy, there are also versions of Moussaka that do not include the bechamel layer, like my mom's Egyptian Moussaka.
How to make moussaka
- Slice and salt the eggplant. Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and allow to sit for 30 minutes. This helps to reduce bitterness.
- Broil the eggplant. Brush the eggplant with extra virgin olive oil and broil until it is softened and golden brown.
- Make the meat sauce. Brown the lamb, drain excess fat, and add the spices. Pour in the wine and reduce, followed by the tomatoes, sugar, and broth. Let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Make the bechamel. Cook the salt, pepper, and flour in heated olive oil until golden. Add milk in small amounts and whisk continuously to prevent lumps forming, and add nutmeg. Whisk some hot bechamel with eggs and return it to the stove.
- Assemble the moussaka. The fun part! Layer half the eggplant slices, the meat sauce, the remaining eggplant, and top with bechamel. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.
- Bake. Bake for 45 minutes on the center rack. For more color, broil for a couple of minutes.
- Let rest before serving. After removing the eggplant moussaka from the oven, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes so that it does not fall apart when you slice it. Cut into squares and serve.
What to serve with moussaka
Moussaka is a complete meal, but if you want to serve it with something light and fresh a simple side salad would do.
When it comes to wrapping up mealtime, I think it’s always nice to finish a rich dinner with a coffee cocktail or a sweet treat.
Blend cultures by serving up a Spanish coffee cocktail called carajillo or stick with the Greek theme and offer a dessert like baklava or melomakarona, a cookie scented with orange and cinnamon.
Make ahead tips for moussaka
Eggplant moussaka is not a difficult dish to make, but it is time consuming. You can save time by making the components in advance. Here are some tips for preparing moussaka in advance:
- Prepare the eggplant one day in advance. You can slice, sweat out, and broil the eggplant a few days in advance.
- Cook the meat sauce one or two days ahead. The meat sauce will keep in the fridge for up to four days, and the flavor only gets better with time. .
- Make the bechamel sauce a few days in advance. Bechamel sauce will hold its flavor and texture for up to a week in the fridge. Reheat bechamel over low heat, whisking continuously. If the bechamel has thickened too much, whisk in a little more milk to get it to the right consistency.
Not a meat eater? Try vegetarian moussaka
My vegetarian moussaka recipe is as hearty as this one, with just a couple of key differences. I replaced the meat sauce with an equally delicious lentil sauce and I added layers of potatoes and zucchini for bulk.
How to store and reheat leftovers
Eggplant moussaka will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, transfer the moussaka into an oven-safe dish and place on the center rack of an oven heated to 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes.
Can you freeze eggplant moussaka?
You can freeze eggplant moussaka, either whole or in individual servings!
To freeze an entire cooked moussaka: Allow it to cool before covering it snugly with plastic wrap and then wrapping it in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remember to remove the plastic wrap before reheating.
To freeze individual servings of moussaka:
- Once it cools, cut the moussaka into squares.
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange the squares on it, leaving a little space around each slice so they don’t freeze together.
- Place in the freezer for a few hours until the moussaka is frozen solid.
- Transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, thaw slices in the fridge overnight before reheating in an oven as outlined in the section above.
More comforting eggplant recipes to try
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Moussaka: Eggplant Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise into ¼ inch-thick slices, end slices discarded
- salt
- Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoon breadcrumbs
For the meat sauce
For the bechamel
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt, more if you like
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 cups 2% milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Salt the eggplant. Spread the eggplant slices in one layer and sprinkle with salt. Let set for 30 minutes to "sweat out" its bitterness.
- Turn the broiler of your oven on.
- Prepare a large sheet pan or two and brush with extra virgin olive oil. Pat the eggplant slices dry, removing excess salt, and assemble in one layer on the prepared pan. Brush generously with olive oil.
- Place the sheet pan about 6 inches away from the broiler. Broil the eggplant briefly, turning over so that both sides 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.
- Prepare the meat sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons 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 to the skillet. Add the dried oregano, 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 over medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350°F and work on the bechamel.
- Make the bechamel. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden (if needed, added a little more olive oil). Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the nutmeg. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot bechamel mixture with the 2 eggs. Then return all to the pan and stir into the bechamel mixture. Continue to stir or whisk the mixture bringing to a gentle boil for just 2 more minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool and thicken a little more. (You should have a creamy, thick and smooth bechamel sauce.)
- Assemble the moussaka. When ready, lightly oil a 9 ½" x 13" oven-safe baking dish. Layer half the eggplant slices on the bottom. Add the meat sauce and spread well. Add the remaining eggplant slices. Pour the bechamel on top and spread to cover all the eggplant, then sprinkle with the bread crumbs.
- Bake. Bake the moussaka casserole on the center rack of the 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 the casserole sit for 10 minutes before cutting through into squares to serve. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make ahead tips: You can prepare and broil the eggplant and meat sauce a day or two in advance. The bechamel sauce can also be made a few days ahead (it can hold texture for about 1 week, although you should count some days for leftovers). If you prepare the components of this eggplant casserole ahead of time, keep them each in the fridge in separate tightly-closed containers. If the bechamel thickens too much, you may need to reheat it gently before using over low heat, adding a little more milk and whisking to make sure the mixture is. not lumpy.
- Let the moussaka rest before serving: After removing the eggplant moussaka from the oven, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes so that it does not fall apart when you slice it, the bechamel sauce in particular needs to settle.
- Leftover storage tips: moussaka will keep well in the fridge for about five days (although you need to count any make-ahead days).
- Can you freeze eggplant moussaka? Cooked moussaka can be frozen. Once it cools completely, simply cut the moussaka into pieces and freeze them (you can store the pieces in separate freezer-safe containers or wrapped tightly with parchment then foil . This way, you can reheat individual slices at a time.
- 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.
Nutrition
*This post has been recently updated with new information for readers' benefit.
This moussaka recipe is THE BEST I have ever made. I made this for my family yesterday, a dreary Sunday afternoon. Any moussaka recipe requires several steps to make, so no shortcuts. Choose a day when you have time to make this recipe, step by step as Suzy has thoroughly provided. I followed everything exactly, no substitutions. The sauce is the best "bechamel" sauce I ever had and quite honestly was a bit apprehensive of Suzy's sauce recipe. The sauce is much lower in calories and carbs and was outstanding. Also broiling the eggplant was quicker than stove top while maintaining the delicious flavor of the eggplant.
Thank you Suzy. You have a talent for the mediterranean kitchen.!!
Eilene, I am so glad you enjoyed it!
I had LOTS of eggplants from my garden so I made a double batch. But then I didn't have enough greek yogurt and feta cheese so made a sauce with what I had, added 3/4 c parmesan, 8 oz cream cheese, an additional egg and about 1/2 cup of half and half. The cheese sauce bubbled up nicely and browned beautifully and, of course with all those lovely spices, the mince and gorgeous eggplant, it was delish. Thanks for an inspirational recipe!
Thank you so much for sharing!
A real Mussaka needs to be made with Bechamel. Why do American's always use Ricotta as a substitute. That's a different dish.
Hi there. To answer, let me share a bit of what's written up in the post, in case you did not see it.
"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."
This came out really well. Easily made and tasty as well.
Glad to hear it!
Amazing! I forgot to add red wine and sugar, but it still turned out fabulous! Also, i forgot to buy greek yogurt so used sour cream instead, the consistency was pretty wrong and got almost burned after 30min in the oven, but again, when mixed into the dish it didn't bother me at all and was super delicious. A lovely upgrade from the so called musaka my family prepared which was basically rows of potato and minced meat with onion that was poured over with egg and milk I believe and would turn out very bland. Thank you for this recipe, i'll definitely try this again and actually follow the recipe. ?
So glad! Thanks so much, Olga!
Love this recipe,the flavour is so authentic and I also prepared in advance night before and was fabulous but I have to be honest I replace the topping with a bechamel style one since that's my personal preference
Thanks so much for sharing, Trish!
This sounds delish, but I don’t eat lamb. Would it work with ground chicken or turkey? Or ...would you be willing to create a vegetarian version? (I have two vegetarians in my family.)
Hi Susan, you can certainly try ground chicken here. And if you're looking for vegetarian eggplant dishes, there are plenty here on the blog. One close to a vegetarian mussaka is this Turkish eggplant dish with tomato and green peppers: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/fried-eggplant-recipe-with-green-peppers-tomato/
And here is another popular Greek eggplant recipe that's vegetarian: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/braised-eggplant-recipe-greek-style/
I’ve made this dish twice now and it’s absolutely delicious! I find ground lamb much tastier than beef. The only adjustment I made was to omit the sugar in the tomato/meat sauce. Not sure if that makes any difference, just goes against my cooking principles LOL! It’s rare to find such great recipes that you can actually follow and get a good result. Super web site, excellent recipes all around. I have recommended it to friends, including my Greek friends! Thanks so much.
Thanks so much, Judy! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe and that it met your expectations! Omitting the sugar is just fine, if that's what you prefer. It's a balance thing and may not be as noticeable.
Recipe is wonderful, however watching the video...(trying) to watch the video is ridiculous...6 Ads before I finally just gave up on watching!
Hey Pam, I think you may have ended up watching through the video player under "my latest videos," which plays several videos separated by ads. But thank you for alerting us. I will send this feedback along
You can easily turn this into a dairy based dish for Shabbat.
Thanks for sharing!
This tastes so good but is involved and hard to make with my two year old supervisor ? I do plan to make the dish again, though wish comfort food like this could be kosher style! I would serve it for Shabbat dinner. Absolutely delicious.
Oh I so remember the years when my kiddos were little 🙂 Thanks for giving this one a try! Glad you enjoyed it.
I am cooking for someone who is gluten free. Could I substitute cornstarch or gluten free flour?
If you have a gluten free flour that you use regularly, that should work. But i have not personally tried this with a gluten free flour. I have hard Bob's Red Mill has a GF 1 to 1 flour that works well.
I made the moussaka last night for the first time. It was so delicious. My husband said he wouldn't like it because he doesn't like eggplant, and he liked it very much. Our guests all loved it. Thank you for the recipe. I used the cream cheese instead of the ricotta and it was delicious. This was the best moussaka I've ever had.
Dorothy, thank you so much for taking the time to share! Glad to hear everyone enjoyed it...even those who don't love eggplant 🙂
First time making this recipe, and used ground beef instead of ground lamb. The dish was delicious and big hit at the dinner table. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Awesome, Shelly! Beef will work just as well here. Thanks for sharing!
I made it. People who hated Egg plant they didn't even notice it was there, till she saw it( i peeled the eggplant).
Amazing dish. I made for my office lunch, everybody thoroughly enjoyed it except one person(minority)
Thank you for such a detailed and amazing recipe.
That's awesome, Nasim! thank you for sharing!
I love your recipe, they make me want to try different types of vegetables. My mothers family is from Sicily and even though I was introduced to eggplant as a child, I never would eat it. This recipe looks delicious, though. I do have a question though--is there any way for you to let us know the amount of total carbs are in your recipes? I am a type 1 diabetic and do carb counting to keep my bloodsugars in line.
Hi Anne Marie, you should now see a nutrition information label at the bottom of the recipe. Thank you for your question!