Indulge in the rich flavors of Greek cuisine with this outrageously delicious Greek Moussaka recipe. Layers of vegetables, savory meat sauce, and creamy bechamel come together to create a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Bursting with authentic Greek flavors that will transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients and minimal prep time, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or special gathering.
- Ideal for meal prep as it can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredient Notes:
Vegetable Base: Olive oil for frying, potatoes, zucchini, eggplants, Kefalograviera cheese, salt, and pepper.
Meat Sauce: Olive oil, red onion, garlic, beef mince meat, red wine, crushed tomatoes, salt, white pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, thyme, oregano, bay leaves, and parsley.
Bechamel: Unsalted butter, flour, milk, egg yolks, nutmeg, and Kefalograviera cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the vegetable base by slicing the potatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.
- Layer the vegetables with Kefalograviera cheese in a baking dish.
- Cook the meat sauce with onion, garlic, beef, wine, tomatoes, and seasonings.
- Pour the meat sauce over the vegetable base.
- Make the bechamel sauce and spread it over the meat sauce.
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Helpful Tips:
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with lentils or mushrooms.
- To save time, you can use store-bought bechamel sauce.
- Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated in the oven for a crispy topping.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Let the moussaka rest for 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Use high-quality olive oil for a rich and authentic taste.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Greek Moussaka with a side of Greek salad, crusty bread, and a glass of red wine for a complete Mediterranean experience.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
To store leftovers, cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can assemble the moussaka and refrigerate it overnight before baking.
- Can I use different vegetables in this dish? Feel free to customize the vegetable base with your favorite veggies.
- Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, leftovers can be frozen for future meals.
- Is this dish gluten-free? You can make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour for the bechamel sauce.
Conclusion:
Treat your taste buds to the flavors of Greece with this outrageously delicious Greek Moussaka recipe. Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal or a dish to impress your guests, this moussaka is sure to be a hit. Give it a try and savor the Mediterranean flavors!
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Outrageously Delicious Greek Moussaka
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Outrageously Delicious Greek Moussaka recipe combines layers of fried vegetables, flavorful meat sauce, and creamy bechamel sauce topped with cheese for a mouthwatering dish.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base
- 2 cups olive oil for frying
- 4 potatoes
- 4 zucchini
- 4 eggplants
- 200 grams Kefalograviera cheese
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon pepper
Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large red onion
- 1 medium-sized garlic bulb
- 1 kg beef mince meat
- 1 cup red wine
- 800 grams crushed canned tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
Bechamel
- 150 grams unsalted butter
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 litre milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 250 grams Kefalograviera cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetable Base: Fry potatoes, zucchini, and eggplants separately until golden. Layer them in a baking dish with cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Meat Sauce: Saute onion, garlic, and beef. Add wine, tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer until thickened.
- Make Bechamel: Melt butter, add flour, then milk. Temper with egg yolks and nutmeg. Stir in cheese.
- Assemble Moussaka: Layer vegetable base, meat sauce, and bechamel. Bake until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and let it rest before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can use other cheeses like parmesan or kasseri if Kefalograviera is not available.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg