Best 2 Easy Moussaka Recipes

Moussaka, a quintessential dish of Greek cuisine, is a delightful casserole that showcases layers of savory minced meat, silky smooth béchamel sauce, and tender, roasted eggplant. Originating from the Ottoman Empire, moussaka has become a beloved delicacy across the world, with variations found in various regions. Our comprehensive guide features three delectable moussaka recipes, each offering a unique culinary experience.

The Classic Moussaka recipe embodies the traditional preparation, utilizing layers of seasoned ground lamb or beef, sautéed eggplant, and a creamy béchamel sauce. For a vegetarian twist, the Vegetarian Moussaka recipe replaces the meat with a combination of roasted vegetables, ensuring a hearty and flavorful dish. Lastly, the Moussaka Rolls recipe presents an innovative take on the classic, featuring individual rolls filled with a savory meat and vegetable mixture, topped with a rich tomato sauce and béchamel.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, these moussaka recipes provide a range of options to suit your preferences. Dive into the detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals that accompany each recipe, and embark on a culinary adventure that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Greece.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AUTHENTIC GREEK MOUSSAKA

Authentic Greek Moussaka image

This traditional moussaka is truly the best, and just as authentic as any you'd try in Greece! While it takes a bit of time, it's actually quite simple to make. Kali orexi! (Bon appetit!)

Provided by Anonymous

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek

Time 2h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4 eggplants, cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch slices
salt to taste
4 cups milk
1 stick butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 egg yolks, beaten
7 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 onions, grated
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon white sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt and place in a colander set in the sink or over a plate. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the salt can draw out any bitterness.
Meanwhile, make bechamel sauce. Heat milk in a saucepan almost to a boil. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until a smooth paste forms. Lower heat and gradually pour in hot milk, whisking constantly until bechamel sauce thickens. Season with salt. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Rinse eggplant slices under cold running water. Squeeze out liquid and pat dry with paper towels. Whisk egg yolks into the cooled bechamel.
Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and cook eggplant slices in batches until each side is lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on a large plate lined with paper towels.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Heat remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Cook grated onion until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Season with allspice, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until all excess liquid has evaporated and mixture appears dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in parsley and remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the egg white.
Arrange a layer of eggplant in the prepared baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the beef mixture and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Cover with remaining eggplant and sprinkle another 1/3 of Parmesan cheese on top. Pour bechamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top of the moussaka is set and golden, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 628 calories, Carbohydrate 35.3 g, Cholesterol 172.8 mg, Fat 44.2 g, Fiber 11.2 g, Protein 26.2 g, SaturatedFat 18.5 g, Sodium 718.3 mg, Sugar 16.7 g

MOUSSAKA

Moussaka image

Here is a great recipe for moussaka, a Greek dish. It includes sliced eggplant baked in a ground beef sauce and then smothered in a thin white sauce.

Provided by PEGGY AYSCUE

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek

Time 1h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

3 eggplants, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices
salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound lean ground beef
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon fines herbs
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup red wine
1 egg, beaten
4 cups milk
½ cup butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt to taste
ground white pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

Lay the slices of eggplant on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and set aside for 30 minutes to draw out the moisture. Then in a skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil. Quickly fry the eggplant until browned. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the ground beef, salt and pepper to taste, onions, and garlic. After the beef is browned, sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, fines herbs and parsley. Pour in the tomato sauce and wine, and mix well. Simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, and then stir in beaten egg.
To make the bechamel sauce, begin by scalding the milk in a saucepan. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Lower heat; gradually pour in the hot milk, whisking constantly until it thickens. Season with salt, and white pepper.
Arrange a layer of eggplant in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the meat mixture, and then sprinkle 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese over the meat. Cover with remaining eggplant, and sprinkle another 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Pour the bechamel sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the nutmeg. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 567 calories, Carbohydrate 29.1 g, Cholesterol 123.1 mg, Fat 39.4 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 23.6 g, SaturatedFat 18.3 g, Sodium 1017.4 mg, Sugar 14.1 g

Tips for Making the Best Moussaka:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your moussaka.
Don't overcook the eggplant. It should be tender but still have a little bit of bite to it.
Make sure the meat sauce is well-seasoned. This is the backbone of the moussaka, so make sure it's packed with flavor.
Don't skimp on the béchamel sauce. It's what makes the moussaka so rich and creamy.
Let the moussaka rest before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the moussaka to set.

Conclusion:

Moussaka is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight meal. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a moussaka that will impress your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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