Quick and Delicious Moussaka Recipe

Delight your taste buds with this savory and comforting Moussaka recipe. Moussaka is a classic Mediterranean dish that hails from Greece. It’s a hearty casserole made with layers of eggplant, potatoes, and a flavorful meat sauce (often made with ground beef or lamb). The whole dish is then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden and bubbly. Moussaka is a comforting and indulgent meal, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Directions:

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, sliced into rounds
• 1 lb ground lamb or beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eggplant: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and set aside.
2. Cook the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the ground lamb or beef and cook until browned. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and eggs until smooth.
4. Assemble the Moussaka: In a greased baking dish, layer half of the roasted eggplant slices on the bottom. Top with half of the meat sauce, then sprinkle with half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
5. Bake: Pour the béchamel sauce over the top layer of Moussaka. Spread evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice into squares and serve warm.

Cook’s Note: If ground lamb or beef is not available, you can use ground turkey or chicken as a substitute.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 380 kcal
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 120mg
• Sodium: 480mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 18g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 28g