Melitzanes Moussaka Recipe

Name: Melitzanes Moussaka
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 lbs eggplants; olive oil, as needed; For the Meat Sauce; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 lbs ground beef or 2 lbs ground lamb; 1 cup chopped peeled tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup white wine; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; For the Cream Sauce; 1/4 cup unsalted butter; 1/3 cup flour; 2 cups whole milk; 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg or 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 cup grated kasseri cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese; salt; pepper; 1 egg, lightly beaten

Servings: persons

2 lbs eggplants
olive oil, as needed
For the Meat Sauce
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs ground beef or 2 lbs ground lamb
1 cup chopped peeled tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cream Sauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg or 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup grated kasseri cheese or 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten

1
Cut eggplant into 1/4 inch slices with skin on. Sprinkle slices with salt and set in a colander to drain in the sink for 1 hour. Pat eggplant dry and set aside.
2
Fry eggplant slices in a little oil until browned; remove from heat and set aside.
3
Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add meat and brown, stirring well. Add remaining sauce ingredients to meat, and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat, stirring frequently.
4
Melt butter in skillet, and whick in flour. Cook gently for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add milk all at once and whisk until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, about 1 minute more.
5
Remove cream sauce from heat, and stir in nutmeg or cinnamon, 1 tbsp of cheese, and salt and pepper to your taste.
6
Oil the bottom of a large square casserole or baking dish. Layer eggplant across the bottom. Top with half the meat sauce, layer again with eggplant, add rest of meat sauce, and finish with the remaining eggplant.
7
Stir the beaten egg into the cream sauce and spread over eggplant. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
8
Bake in preheated 350F oven for about an hour.
9
Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.

1080

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 24 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 lbs eggplants, olive oil, as needed, For the Meat Sauce, 1 large onion, chopped, and more.

Yes, Melitzanes Moussaka falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Melitzanes Moussaka

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions