Description
A rich and comforting Mediterranean casserole featuring layers of roasted eggplant, spiced ground beef, and creamy béchamel sauce, topped with golden melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large eggplants, sliced into ½ inch rounds
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) canned tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, cinnamon, and allspice. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until thickened.
- Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and roast on the baking sheet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer roasted eggplant at the bottom of the dish, then add a layer of meat sauce. Repeat layers and finish with eggplant on top.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Gradually add milk while whisking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in beaten eggs. Pour béchamel over the dish and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbling on top.
- Let cool for 20–30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Salt and drain eggplants before roasting to reduce bitterness.
- Let the dish rest after baking to hold its shape when sliced.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the béchamel for extra warmth.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: moussaka, greek casserole, baked eggplant, ground beef, comfort food, béchamel