Traditional Greek Moussaka with Eggplant

Learn how to make moussaka, with layers of tender roasted eggplant, fragrant meat sauce, and creamy Greek bechamel. This traditional Greek moussaka recipe is easier to put together than you may think!

What is Moussaka?

Moussaka (pronounced moo-sa-ka’a) is sort of a Greek eggplant and beef casserole with layers of eggplant, potatoes, a rich and fragrant meat sauce, and topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. You can say that moussaka to the Greeks is like lasagna to Italians, only without the pasta. And the beef sauce for moussaka is laced with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, and paprika. It is best kind of comfort food. No wonder it’s one of Greece’s most famous dishes, and mine too!

The Moussaka I Learned in Greece

I grew up with Egyptian moussaka, where we swap the bechamel topping for pine nuts. I’ve since spent many summers in Greece, where I’ve learned to make moussaka the Greek way. This recipe, which I’ve perfected over the years, is how my Greek friends serve moussaka in their homes.

Moussaka is not difficult to make, and if you’ve made lasagna, you can make this! It can be a bit time-consuming, but the good news is that the flavors only get better with time, making it an exceptional make-ahead recipe! It’s an ideal centerpiece for gatherings or holidays, and your friends and family will request it again and again.

What is it made of?

Greek moussaka is made of three components or layers: vegetables (eggplant and sometimes potatoes), a fragrant meat sauce, and bechamel sauce for the top layer. Let’s take a look at each of the layers in this delicious eggplant casserole:

Eggplant (the vegetable layer)

Traditionally, you would shallow fry the eggplant to make moussaka. Many of the tavernas I visited in Greece from Athens to Santorini still fry the eggplant. But nowadays, home cooks will bake or roast the eggplant with olive oil until golden brown. In this recipe, I bake the eggplant slices with olive oil. You can use other vegetables too like potatoes or even zucchini which many Greek cooks use. I like to keep it simple to let the velvety eggplant shine.

The Meat Sauce

Traditional moussaka meat sauce will call for lamb or a mixture of lamb and beef. You can use either in this recipe. You’ll start by browning the meat well in some good Greek extra virgin olive oil with onions. And since this is a red sauce, you will also need some canned tomatoes, red wine, and broth (I use beef broth). To season this fragrant sauce like my Greek friends do, I use onions, dried Greek oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg, and paprika.

The Béchamel sauce (the top creamy layer)

The very top layer of moussaka is the becahmel sauce which is made of simple ingredients: flour, milk, eggs, and butter or olive oil (I use olive oil to keep it lighter). And other than salt and pepper, I like to add a pinch of nutmeg to season the bechamel. The main thing when preparing the bechamel is to continuously whisk it to avoid clumping (I show you exactly how in the step-by-step tutorial below)

How to Make Moussaka

Feel free to prep the eggplant, meat sauce, and bechamel a few days ahead, then store them in tightly sealed containers in your refrigerator. Layer and bake the day you plan to serve, then serve warm or at room temperature. Here are the steps:

• Prep the eggplant. Trim the ends of 2 large eggplants, then slice into 1/4-thick slabs. (Discard the outermost slices that are mostly skin.) Spread the slices in one layer and sprinkle with salt. Let rest for 30 minutes to “sweat out” its bitterness.
• Meanwhile, start the meat sauce. In a small saucepot, set over medium-low heat add 1/2 cup beef broth. In a separate large skillet set over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add 1 finely chopped onion and stir regularly until it’s slightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Now add 1 pound ground lamb or beef and toss regularly until fully browned. Pour off any excess fat, then return the skillet to medium heat.
• Season the meat sauce. Stir in 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon each black pepper, nutmeg, and paprika. Add 1/2 cup red wine and boil for 1 minute to reduce, then stir in 1 (14-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon sugar, and the hot broth. Simmer over medium-low heat until rich and fragrant, 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the meat sauce simmers, prepare the eggplant. Turn the broiler to high. Brush a large sheet pan with extra virgin olive oil. Pat the eggplant slices dry, removing excess salt, and assemble in one layer on the prepared pan. Work in batches or use 2 pans if necessary to avoid overlapping. Brush the eggplant generously with olive oil on both sides.
• Broil the eggplant. 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. Don’t worry if parts of the eggplant are slightly charred, but watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven and set aside. 
• Get ready to bake. Turn off the broiler and preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9 x 13-inch oven-safe baking dish.
• Make the bechamel. In a small saucepot, set 4 cups of 2 percent milk over medium-low heat to warm. In a separate large saucepan, set over medium-high heat, add 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer but not smoke. Stir 2/3 cup flour into the oil, along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper. Stir continuously until golden (if needed, add a little more olive oil). Gradually add the warmed milk, whisking continuously. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until thickened enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• Finish the Greek bechamel. Add 2 eggs to a small bowl. Whisk in a ladleful of the hot bechamel mixture to temper the eggs, then slowly whisk the egg mixture back into the bechamel. Continue to stir or whisk the mixture, bringing it to a gentle boil for 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. Layer half the eggplant slices on the bottom. Add the meat sauce and spread well, then top with the remaining eggplant slices. Pour the bechamel on top and spread to cover all the eggplant, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs.
• Bake. Bake the moussaka casserole on the center rack of the heated oven for 45 minutes. If desired, transfer the baking pan to the top rack and broil briefly so the top of the moussaka gains a nice golden brown color (watch carefully).
• Slice and serve. Remove from the heat and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes. This will help it hold its shape. Slice into squares to serve. Enjoy!

Variations

Moussaka is a popular dish in Middle Eastern and North African countries and Greece. I grew up with Egyptian Moussaka, which skips the bechamel sauce from the Greek version. But you can also find vegetarian moussaka in many places, and it’s equally as filling as this moussaka recipe.

Moussaka recipes, in general, are very flexible. Here are a few ways to make this recipe your own.

• Use potatoes instead of eggplants in moussaka, or use them both! Opt for starchy potatoes like russet or Idaho and slice them into 1/4-inch rounds. Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil, season with salt, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until tender.
• Swap the bread crumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs and thicken the bechamel with equal amounts of gluten-free flour instead of flour
• Opt for butter instead of olive oil
• Use a higher-fat milk

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Moussaka

• To store: Moussaka will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• To reheat: Remove from the fridge and place on the center rack of 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes. 
• To freeze whole: Allow to cool completely before covering snugly with plastic wrap and then wrapping it in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• To freeze Individual squares: Place each square in individual containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat frozen moussaka, thaw slices in the fridge overnight before reheating at 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Perfect Pairings

This moussaka recipe is a complete meal, but if you want to balance the cozy comfort of this dish with something light and fresh, or finish with a dessert here are a few of my favorites:

• Make one of two famous Greek salads Horiatiki or Maroulosalata.
• For a full Greek feast, finish with baklava or melomakarona, a cookie scented with orange and cinnamon.

*This post has been recently updated with new information for readers’ benefit.