Moussaka is traditionally made with lamb, but I often use ground beef instead. The recipe looks a bit daunting, but if you prepare one step while working on another, it will save time. —Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Total Time
Prep: 45 min. Cook: 30 min.
Makes
8 servings
Ingredients
1 medium eggplant, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
1-1/2 pounds ground lamb or ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste, divided
1-1/4 cups hot water, divided
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups 2% milk
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 450°. Arrange potato and eggplant slices in 2 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans, overlapping as needed. Bake until cooked through, 20 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 400°.
In a large skillet, cook lamb and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomatoes, hot water, tomato paste, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes.
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
Arrange potatoes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, overlapping as needed. Top with lamb mixture. Arrange eggplant over top, overlapping as needed.
Top with bechamel sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
Moussaka Tips
How do you cut eggplant for moussaka?
For this moussaka recipe, we recommend cutting eggplant lengthwise into 1/2-inch pieces. Have leftover eggplant stacks to spare? Try one of these other tasty eggplant recipes.
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