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A deep baking dish filled with a layered Greek moussaka featuring a golden brown béchamel topping.
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Indulgent Greek Moussaka

Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time2 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 645kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggplants , sliced into 1cm rounds
  • 4 large potatoes , peeled and sliced into 0.5cm rounds
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 750 g ground lamb or beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 400 g crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 100 g unsalted butter
  • 100 g all -purpose flour
  • 1 liter whole milk, room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 100 g grated Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place eggplant slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture; rinse and pat dry.
  • Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Brush eggplant and potato slices with olive oil, place on baking sheets, and roast for 20 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
  • In a large skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent.
  • Add the ground meat to the skillet, browning it thoroughly while breaking it into small crumbles.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, then deglaze with red wine and simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, cloves, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer on low heat for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
  • Prepare the béchamel by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisking in the flour for 2 minutes to create a roux.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk to avoid lumps and continue cooking until the sauce thickens; remove from heat.
  • Whisk the egg yolks, nutmeg, and half of the grated cheese into the béchamel sauce.
  • In a deep 9x13 inch baking dish, layer the potatoes at the bottom, followed by half the eggplants, then the meat sauce, then the remaining eggplants.
  • Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown.
  • Allow the moussaka to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing to ensure the layers remain intact.