Easy Moussaka Recipe with Eggplant

Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, potatoes, and ground beef. It is often served with a tomato sauce and topped with a béchamel sauce. This recipe is for an easy version of moussaka that is perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant, peeled and sliced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup béchamel sauce (see recipe below)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef mixture, diced tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, layer the eggplant slices, ground beef mixture, and béchamel sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender and the béchamel sauce is bubbly.
6. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

FAQ

What if don’t have a lot of time to cook?

This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated. Simply assemble the dish and then cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to cook, bake the moussaka for 30 minutes longer than the recipe calls for.

What if don’t like eggplant?

You can use zucchini or other vegetables instead of eggplant. Just make sure to slice them thinly so they cook evenly.

What if don’t have all of the ingredients for traditional moussaka?

You can use canned or jarred tomato sauce instead of making your own. You can also use store-bought béchamel sauce.

Pros of Making Moussaka

• Moussaka is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a family meal.
• It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables.
• It can be made ahead of time and reheated.

Tips for Making Moussaka

• To make the moussaka ahead of time, assemble the dish and then cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to cook, bake the moussaka for 30 minutes longer than the recipe calls for.
• If you don’t have a béchamel sauce on hand, you can use 1 cup of ricotta cheese mixed with 1/2 cup of milk.
• Serve the moussaka with a green salad and some pita bread.

Summary

This easy moussaka recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables.

Serve the moussaka with a green salad and some pita bread.