# Moussaka: A Mediterranean Delight
Moussaka is a classic Mediterranean dish that combines layers of seasoned ground meat, creamy béchamel sauce, and tender eggplant. Originating from Greece, this hearty casserole is characterized by its distinct flavor profile and beautiful presentation. Our collection of moussaka recipes offers a variety of options to suit diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
1. **Traditional Moussaka:**
This recipe stays true to the classic Greek moussaka. Layers of sautéed eggplant, seasoned ground lamb or beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce are baked to perfection. The result is a flavorful and satisfying dish that embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
2. **Vegetarian Moussaka:**
For those who prefer a meatless option, our vegetarian moussaka replaces the ground meat with a combination of sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers. The hearty blend of vegetables provides a delicious and nutritious alternative while maintaining the traditional flavors of moussaka.
3. **Easy Moussaka Casserole:**
This simplified version of moussaka is perfect for busy weeknights or those new to cooking. It streamlines the process by using frozen eggplant and a pre-made béchamel sauce, making it a hassle-free yet satisfying meal.
4. **Moussaka with Sweet Potato:**
This unique twist on moussaka incorporates sweet potatoes as a flavorful and nutritious addition. The layers of sweet potato, seasoned ground turkey, and béchamel sauce create a colorful and delicious dish that is sure to impress.
5. **Vegan Moussaka:**
Our vegan moussaka caters to those following a plant-based diet. It uses a combination of tofu, lentils, and vegetables to create a hearty and flavorful filling, while a creamy cashew-based sauce replaces the traditional béchamel.
6. **Moussaka Rolls:**
These individual moussaka rolls are perfect for parties or special occasions. The combination of flaky phyllo pastry, seasoned ground beef, and a creamy béchamel sauce creates a delightful appetizer or main course that is sure to be a hit.
These diverse moussaka recipes offer something for everyone, whether you're a meat-lover, vegetarian, vegan, or simply seeking a delicious and comforting casserole. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create a delectable moussaka that will transport your taste buds to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean.
MOUSSAKA: EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
Greek Moussaka is an eggplant casserole with layers of roasted eggplant and spiced meat sauce, topped with creamy bechamel sauce. Once baked, be sure to allow the moussaka a few minutes to rest before cutting through, the casserole needs to settle so it does not fall apart when you slice into it. More tips in the post and recipe notes.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Entree
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- 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 degrees 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!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.9 kcal, Sodium 259.4 mg, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 19.4 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 12.3 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, UnsaturatedFat 10.5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MOUSSAKA
Moussaka is traditionally made with lamb, but I often use ground beef instead. The recipe looks a bit daunting, but if you prepare one step while working on another, it will save time. -Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450°. Arrange potato and eggplant slices in 2 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans, overlapping as needed. Bake until cooked through, 20 minutes. Set aside; reduce oven setting to 400°., In a large skillet, cook lamb, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, 1/4 teaspoon salt, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes., In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg., Arrange par-cooked potatoes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, overlapping as needed. Top with lamb mixture. Arrange eggplant over top, overlapping as needed. , Top with bechamel sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 25g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 99mg cholesterol, Sodium 700mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
MOUSSAKA
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
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
MOUSSAKA - GREEK CASSEROLE
This is my mom's recipe :-D Ground lamb is my choice but it's ok to substitute ground beef. I don't like potatoes in my moussaka so I leave them out all together, and it cuts down on overall time I have to spend in the kitchen. You can add them to your dish if you'd like, THEY ARE OPTIONAL, so I included them here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the Moussaka potato debate here in the Greek Forum: http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=219564
Provided by ThatSouthernBelle
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 3h30m
Yield 12-14 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Potatoes:.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil in a large bowl.
- Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and season to taste.
- Roast until soft and starting to brown, about 35 minutes.
- Béchamel Sauce:.
- In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add flour and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes until it starts bubbling but does not color.
- Gradually whisk in the hot milk.
- Continue whisking for about 6 to 8 minutes until it thickens.
- Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Put the eggs in a large bowl.
- Whisk the béchamel sauce into the eggs.
- Continue whisking for a few minutes until the béchamel has cooled slightly (enough so that the eggs won't curdle).
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
- Make sure to place wrap directly on the surface of the sauce so a skin does not form.
- Set aside.
- Lamb:.
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Add lamb and sauté until cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 6 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes.
- Add wine, cayenne pepper, and oregano and cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in cinnamon, tomatoes, tomato paste and nutmeg.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Cover and simmer until sauce is very thick and reduced to about 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 60-70 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, preheat the grill on medium-high heat.
- Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill until cooked through and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Set aside.
- To Assemble:.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat a 14x10x2-inch glass baking dish with oil.
- Arrange potatoes in bottom of dish.
- Arrange half of eggplant slices over potatoes.
- Pour half of lamb sauce over.
- Arrange another layer of eggplant slices on top.
- Pour remaining sauce over.
- Pour béchamel sauce over moussaka, covering completely.
- Bake moussaka uncovered until bubbling around edges, about 1 hour or until topping is softly set and browned.
- Transfer baking dish to rack and let rest 20 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 501.6, Fat 31.3, SaturatedFat 13.6, Cholesterol 180, Sodium 427.1, Carbohydrate 36.5, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 9.4, Protein 19.5
REALLY EASY GREEK MOUSSAKA CASSEROLE
Moussaka is a great Middle Eastern/Mediterranean casserole made with eggplant, a vegetable perfectly suited to absorbing and tasting like the other ingredients in a recipe, and topped with a rich, creamy/cheesy Bechamel sauce. Usually moussaka is layered, kind of like lasagna, but this recipe opts for simplicity and ease of cooking mixing the sauce together. You can opt to make the meat sauce ahead, and then freeze/thaw and finish the moussaka by making the bechamel sauce, if you need to crunch time.
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h50m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Peel and slice eggplant, and slice into pieces 1/2 inch thick; sprinkle with sea salt and allow to sit and drain in a colander. Rinse eggplant with water; pat dry and mince.
- Cook lamb and onion in olive oil in a large nonstick skillet until meat is browned. Add potato, garlic, salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, cooking until potato is browned. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and vinegar along with water and cook until potato is done, then place in a large casserole dish or lasagna pan.
- Add more oil to nonstick skillet, and cook eggplant in two batches, until browned and tender, adding 1/2 cup dry red wine at the end of each cooking cycle and allowing the wine to cook in and absorb.
- Mix together cooked eggplant with sauce in pan, and spread evenly.
- Add butter to skillet along with flour and whisk into a roux; add milks and seasonings, and cook, stirring, until thickened. astir in cheese and remove from heat.
- Add 1/2 cup bechamel sauce to the eggs, whisking quickly to temper them and keep them from scrambling in the bechamel sauce, then add egg/sauce mixture to the bechamel sauce and finish whisking.
- Spread bechamel sauce over meat sauce.
- Bake moussaka uncovered for 35-40 minutes at 350°F or until bechamel sauce is set.
- Allow casserole to rest about 15 minutes before serving (I serve the salad course while waiting).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 689.4, Fat 49.4, SaturatedFat 23.3, Cholesterol 171.7, Sodium 2260.9, Carbohydrate 30.4, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 4.8, Protein 27
EASY MOUSSAKA
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375. Brush eggplant rounds with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in large non stick skillet and brown eggplant over medium high heat. Remove to a paper towel to drain. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in same large skillet and cook onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown completely. Add the spices, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. In a second non stick skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and brown potato slices on both sides. Remove to a paper towel to drain and season with salt and pepper. In a buttered baking dish, layer potatoes, meat, eggplant and top with Parmesan. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, eggs and cream. Season with salt and pepper and pour over casserole. Let casserole sit for 10 minutes and then bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Allow casserole to sit for 15 minutes before serving.
BEEF MOUSSAKA
This low-fat casserole relies on spices, tomato paste, wine and vinegar for flavor instead of the ton of cheese (and fat) found in regular moussaka recipes.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the eggplants, potatoes, olive oil, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl, then spread the vegetables on the baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes, tossing the vegetables about halfway through. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, make the Meat Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, garlic and ginger; stir quickly to toast spices evenly. Once fragrant, add 1/2 cup water to the pan and stir to combine, scraping up any brown bits. Add the beef to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up, and cook until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the wine, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until the meat is fully cooked and the juices are reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley and set aside.
- Make the Bechamel: Put the milk and flour in a small saucepan and whisk until the flour is dissolved. Place the pan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a boil; continue to whisk until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from the heat and whisk in 3/4 cup of the Parmesan; set aside.
- Assemble the Moussaka: Spray a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the eggplants and potatoes in the bottom of the dish, layer the meat sauce evenly over the vegetables, top with the bechamel and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until the top is browned and slightly puffed, 35 to 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated overnight before baking. The baked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 weeks; cover with foil and reheat at 350 degrees F until hot, 35 to 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calorie, Fat 15 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 65 milligrams, Sodium 970 milligrams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 28 grams, Sugar 8 grams
EASY MOUSSAKA
Less work than traditional moussaka and gluten-free, our Greek-style bake of potatoes and aubergines layered with lamb mince is topped with crème fraîche
Provided by Miriam Nice
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Supper
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Boil the potatoes whole for 20 mins or just until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
- Return the pan to the heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil and the onion. Cook until softened, then add the lamb. Fry the mince for 5 mins or until cooked through and starting to char. Add the garlic and spice, and stir in the passata. Bring to a simmer, then season to taste, take off the heat and set aside until needed.
- Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Warm a griddle pan over a high heat and brush a little oil over the aubergines. Grill for 2-3 mins each side or until char lines appear. You may have to do this in 3-4 batches.
- Once cool enough to handle, cut the boiled potatoes into thick slices. Put 1 tbsp oil in the base of a deep ovenproof dish and start with a layer of potatoes, then aubergines, a sprinkling of seasoning, then a layer of the lamb mixture. Repeat until all the mixture is used up, ending with a layer of aubergines. Spread the crème fraîche over the top and scatter with the cheese. Put in the oven for 10 mins or until the cheese is golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 624 calories, Fat 46 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 23 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Fiber 7 grams fiber, Protein 27 grams protein, Sodium 9 milligram of sodium
QUICK MOUSSAKA
Our take on this classic Greek casserole uses a mixture of ricotta and feta cheeses instead of the conventional white sauce, which is made from butter, flour, and milk.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Butter a 4-quart ovenproof dish. On a baking sheet, toss eggplant with 6 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer, and roast in the oven until soft and golden, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to prepared dish, spreading in an even layer.
- In a large saucepan, warm remaining tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, and ground meat; cook, stirring to prevent sticking, until meat is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Simmer, crushing tomatoes with the edge of a spoon, 15 minutes. Spread the mixture evenly over the eggplant.
- Heat broiler. In a small bowl, mix ricotta, feta, egg, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of salt. Pour mixture over the casserole, and spread evenly to the edges. Broil until topping is browned in spots, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Tips:
- To make the moussaka casserole ahead of time, assemble it completely and cover it tightly. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the vegetables by hand. Just make sure they are finely chopped so that they cook evenly.
- Feel free to use any type of ground meat that you like. Beef, lamb, or pork are all good options.
- You can also use a variety of different cheeses in the moussaka casserole. Feta, mozzarella, and Parmesan are all good choices.
- If you don't have any béchamel sauce on hand, you can make your own by following this recipe: Easy Homemade Bechamel Sauce.
Conclusion:
Moussaka casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it with beef, lamb, or pork, or with a variety of different cheeses, moussaka casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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