Greek Moussaka (Beef and Eggplant Casserole)

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr 20 mins

  • Additional Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 10 mins

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    682 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Greek

Greek Moussaka (Beef and Eggplant Casserole)

Moussaka is a classic Greek dish that is similar to an Italian lasagna, but goes with lightly fried eggplant and potatoes in place of pasta. The meat sauce can be made in advance and so can the bechamel sauce.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Meat Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lbs ground beef 85 to 90% lean
  • 1 cup red wine
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 oz. can whole tomatoes crushed by hand, with juice
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 2 bay leaves dried or fresh
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Bechamel Sauce

  • cup whole milk
  • 8 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 2 egg yolks

For the Moussaka

  • vegetable oil you'll need about ½-inch in the bottom of your pan.
  • 2 large eggplants peeled (in strips, if desired) and cut into ½-inch medallions
  • 2 medium Russet potatoes peeled and cut into ¼-inch medallions
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
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Instructions

Make the Meat Sauce

  1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and sauté, stirring often, until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sauté until aromatic, about another 30 seconds.
  2. Add the beef and use a wooden spatula to break it up. Cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Tilt the skillet and use a large spoon to remove most of the rendered grease. You'll want to leave about 1 tablespoon of the grease. Safely discard the removed grease.
  3. Add the wine and cook until almost completely evaporated, another 5 to 8 minutes. You may need to remove additional grease, if more has accumulated.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, bouillon cube, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce is thick, about 30 minutes. Set aside. (Cover and refrigerate if making in advance).

Make the Greek Bechamel Sauce

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk until just starting to bubble along the sides of the pan.
  2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mix until completely combined. Cook the roux for about 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Working in batches, carefully add the warm milk to the roux and whisk continuously, working to remove the lumps. Replace the whisk with a wooden spatula to incorporate the milk into the roux. Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Remove from the heat.
  4. Let the bechamel cool for about 10 minutes and then stir in the 2 egg yolks. Set aside until ready to use.

Prepare the Eggplant and Potatoes and Assemble the Dish

  1. In a large saucepan, heat about ½-inch vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the eggplant medallions and lightly fry until browned on both sides, using metal tongs to flip them every few minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate or platter. Repeat this process with the potatoes and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  3. Place half of the fried eggplant in the bottom of your baking dish. Spread half of the meat sauce over the eggplant. Add a layer of all of the potatoes. Sprinkle a little salt over the potatoes. Spread the remaining meat sauce over the potatoes. Arrange the remaining eggplant medallions over the meat sauce and then spread the cooled bechamel sauce over the eggplant. Top with the Parmesan cheese.
  4. Bake for 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow to rest for 20 minutes to 1 hour before cutting and serving. (Cover with foil if resting for more than 20 minutes).

Notes

  • See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
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  • Lamb is often used in classic moussaka. Feel free to substitute lamb for the beef, if desired. Or, use a combination of both. 
  • The meat sauce can be made several days in advance of baking. The bechamel sauce can be made up to 4 hours in advance. The entire dish can be made before baking for up to 12 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge. Set out for about an hour before baking. 
  • Leftovers are wonderful. Reheat in a 325°F oven until heat through, or, heat in the microwave. 
  • Moussaka can be frozen for up to 3 months, however, the bechamel topping may lose its creamy texture. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 682kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 9g Trans Fat 2g Cholesterol 184mg (61%) Sodium 1407mg (59%) Potassium 1237mg (35%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 3441IU (69%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 390mg (39%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 682 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 682kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 9g 45%
Trans Fat 2g 100%
Cholesterol 184mg 61%
Sodium 1407mg 59%
Potassium 1237mg 26%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 3441IU 69%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 390mg 39%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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