Moussaka is a hearty and flavorful casserole dish that originated in Greece. It's made with layers of seasoned ground meat, sliced eggplant, and a creamy béchamel sauce. The dish is traditionally baked in the oven, but this recipe uses a skillet to make it quicker and easier. This skillet moussaka is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy this classic Greek dish.
In this article, you'll find two variations of the skillet moussaka recipe: a classic version and a vegetarian version. The classic version uses ground beef and lamb, while the vegetarian version uses lentils and mushrooms. Both versions are packed with flavor and sure to satisfy your taste buds.
The classic skillet moussaka starts with a layer of seasoned ground beef and lamb. The meat is cooked until browned, then drained of excess grease. Next, sliced eggplant is added to the skillet and cooked until tender. The eggplant is then topped with a layer of creamy béchamel sauce. The béchamel sauce is made with milk, butter, flour, and seasonings. It's important to cook the béchamel sauce until it's thick and creamy.
The vegetarian skillet moussaka follows a similar process, but instead of using ground meat, it uses lentils and mushrooms. The lentils and mushrooms are cooked until tender, then added to the skillet. The béchamel sauce is then poured over the lentils and mushrooms.
Both versions of the skillet moussaka are finished with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese. The dish is then baked in the skillet until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve the skillet moussaka hot with a side of pita bread or rice.
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
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h35m
Yield about 6 to 8 main course servi
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Bake the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with the oil and lay on 2 small or 1 large foil-lined baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the eggplant is soft, about 25 minutes. Set aside covered.
- Make the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef, oregano, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon. Break the meat up into small pieces and season with the 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until just cooked but still slightly pink inside, about 1 minute more. Add the tomato and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cover, and cook until the sauce is thickened and fragrant, about 20 minutes.
- Make the custard sauce. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add the milk, salt, and nutmeg. Return to the heat and while whisking constantly, bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and stir to cool. When the sauce is cool, whisk in the egg and yolks.
- Assemble the moussaka. Lower the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a 9 x 13 x 2-inch casserole dish with the oil. Scatter the breadcrumbs over the bottom of the pan. Lay half of the eggplant in the pan, overlapping the slices if needed. Cover with half of the meat sauce and smooth with a rubber spatula. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and meat sauce. Pour the custard sauce over the layered mixture and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with the Pecorino Romano and bake, uncovered, until lightly browned and the custard is set, about 1 hour.
- Remove the moussaka from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to serve.
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.
EASY SMOKED SAUSAGE SKILLET
Dinner's on the table in no time with this one-skillet sausage and veggie dish served over rice.
Provided by Hillshire Farm(R) Brand
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Hillshire Farm®
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat olive oil and crushed garlic, stir in smoked sausage slices and cook until smoked sausage is browned.
- Add pepper, onion, broccoli, chicken broth and tomato sauce and simmer for about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- In the meantime, cook rice according to package instructions. Stir rice into the skillet, sprinkle with cheese and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 722 calories, Carbohydrate 54.6 g, Cholesterol 71.7 mg, Fat 45 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 14.1 g, Sodium 1243.1 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
SKILLET MOUSSAKA
Make and share this Skillet Moussaka recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Alan in SW Florida
Categories Savory Pies
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Peel eggplant, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Coat with 2 tablespoons flour; set aside.
- Cook lamb, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until meat is browned, stirring to crumble meat; drain.
- Return meat mixture to skillet.
- Add eggplant; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in 2 tablespoons flour.
- Combine egg yolk and milk; add to butter mixture, and cook over low heat until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
- Pour sauce over meat mixture; top with cheese.
- Cover and cook over medium heat until cheese melts.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 616.1, Fat 44.6, SaturatedFat 22.4, Cholesterol 178.9, Sodium 739.4, Carbohydrate 23.4, Fiber 6.1, Sugar 6.7, Protein 31.5
SHORTCUT MOUSSAKA
Like a moussaka meets shepherd's pie, this cheater's version of the Greek spiced lamb casserole was born, Melissa Clark wrote, "out of a combination of hunger, ingenuity and a lack of time." Instead of a fussy béchamel, it is made with a creamy layer of mashed potatoes laced with kefalotiri or Parmesan cheese, and instead of frying the eggplant, it is cut into cubes and roasted. It isn't exactly a quick recipe, but it's far easier than the classic dish and equally satisfying.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, main course
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a colander, toss the eggplant and 1 teaspoon salt. Drain in the sink for 15 minutes.
- Heat oven to 450 degrees Toss the eggplant with the oil and spread on a large baking sheet. Roast, turning occasionally, until golden and tender, about 40 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees.
- Bring 6 cups water, the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Lower heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes; drain and return potatoes to the warm pot. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and egg yolk. Mash potatoes with milk-egg mixture, 1/2 cup cheese, butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt and nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- In a very large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the lamb, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Push the meat to one side of the skillet and spoon off all but a thin layer of fat from the skillet. Add the onions and cinnamon sticks to the skillet. Cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Stir the lamb back into the onions and add the garlic and ground clove. Cook 2 minutes more. Stir in the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Cook until tomatoes are soft and the mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in the eggplant.
- Spoon into a 9-inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the lamb. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake until top is golden brown and slightly crusty, about 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 602, UnsaturatedFat 21 grams, Carbohydrate 39 grams, Fat 40 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 24 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 1145 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams
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
Tips:
- Use a large skillet to ensure that the moussaka cooks evenly.
- Brown the ground lamb well before adding the other ingredients.
- Use a variety of vegetables in the moussaka, such as eggplant, zucchini, and potatoes.
- Layer the moussaka ingredients in the skillet in the following order: ground lamb, vegetables, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce.
- Bake the moussaka in a preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the vegetables are tender.
- Let the moussaka cool slightly before serving.
Conclusion:
Skillet moussaka is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. The combination of ground lamb, vegetables, and béchamel sauce is simply irresistible. Serve with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal.
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