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4.7 from 33 votes

Sweet Potato Moussaka

This sweet & savory moussaka has layers of eggplant, sweet potatoes, a beef ragù, and a cheesy béchamel. 

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 782 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 4 sweet potatoes medium size
  • 1 large eggplant thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup marsala wine
  • 3-4 garlic cloves minced
for the béchamel
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour heaping tablespoons
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
you will also need
  • 4 oz Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 4 oz gruyere cheese grated
  • nutmeg grated
  • dry oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • chili flakes
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.Wash the sweet potatoes.In a rimmed baking sheet place the sweet potatoes. Prick small holes in the skins with a fork in each one. Bake for 45 minutes or until they are fully cooked and soft inside. Remove from oven and let them cool.
  2. In a rimmed baking sheet place the eggplant slices, and brush a little olive oil all over. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of dry oregano. Sprinkle some chili flakes if you like. Bake in the oven for 15 min, until eggplant slices have a light golden color. When ready, remove from oven and let them cool.
  3. Cut the sweet potatoes in half vertically. Empty the flesh in a bowl. Season with sea salt freshly ground pepper and add a tablespoon of butter. Mash lightly with a fork and set aside.
  4. In a large pot add 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. In medium heat, add the onions, season with a pinch of salt. After 2-3 min add the garlic. Stir well. Add the tomato paste. Season with another pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper and 1-2 pinch of dry oregano. Stir well. Add 1-2 pinches of chili flakes and the bay leaf. Stir well.
  5. Add all the ground meat. Break it to smaller pieces as it sautés. Mix everything well. Add the wine. Allow the wine to evaporate a little for 2-3 min. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assemble
  1. Mix grated gruyère and parmesan in a bowl.Add a tablespoon of the ragù sauce on the bottom of your pan. Add a layer of eggplant.Follow with a sprinkle of cheese and a layer of sweet potato mash. Add a generous sprinkle of cheese.Repeat layers of eggplant, cheese, sweet potato mash, grated cheese.Add the ragù sauce and a generous sprinkle of cheese.Set pan aside.
make the béchamel
  1. Place a sauce pan on medium to low heat. Add the butter. 
  2. Add the flour while whisking continuously.
  3. Add the milk in batches and whisk until the sauce thickens.
  4. Remove from the heat and add salt, pepper, the nutmeg, and whisk. Save a tablespoon of grated cheese for later.Whisk in the béchamel the rest of the cheese.
Final step
  1. Top ragù layer evenly with béchamel sauce. Sprinkle the saved tablespoon of cheese and some some chili flakes on top. Bake for 45 min until top is nice and golden.

Notes

  • Béchamel notes
  •  
  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on products used.
  • I add the flour through a sieve. I dust it on the butter as I wisk. It helps making the béchamel without any clumps.
  • If the béchamel has some clumps in it, it is not the end of the world! Pour it over the ragu, add the cheese and chili flake and bake. The clumps will go away with the baking and you won't even notice them when enjoying this fabulous moussaka!

Nutrition Information

Calories 782kcal (39%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 51g (78%) Saturated Fat 22g (110%) Cholesterol 121mg (40%) Sodium 643mg (27%) Potassium 1051mg (30%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 22176IU (444%) Vitamin C 8mg (9%) Calcium 536mg (54%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 782

% Daily Value*

Calories 782kcal 39%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 51g 78%
Saturated Fat 22g 110%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 643mg 27%
Potassium 1051mg 22%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 22176IU 444%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 536mg 54%
Iron 3mg 17%

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