Moussaka, a classic Greek dish, is a delectable casserole made with layers of seasoned ground meat, sautéed eggplant, and a creamy béchamel sauce. It is typically baked in the oven, but this recipe takes a different approach by cooking it entirely on the stovetop. This method offers convenience and saves time without compromising the dish's rich flavors and textures. The result is a hearty and comforting meal that combines the savory goodness of meat, the tender softness of eggplant, and the velvety smoothness of the béchamel sauce. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this stove top moussaka recipe will guide you step-by-step to create a culinary masterpiece that will impress your family and friends.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
AUTHENTIC GREEK MOUSSAKA
This traditional moussaka is truly the best, and just as authentic as any you'd try in Greece! While it takes a bit of time, it's actually quite simple to make. Kali orexi! (Bon appetit!)
Provided by Anonymous
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 2h50m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt and place in a colander set in the sink or over a plate. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the salt can draw out any bitterness.
- Meanwhile, make bechamel sauce. Heat milk in a saucepan almost to a boil. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until a smooth paste forms. Lower heat and gradually pour in hot milk, whisking constantly until bechamel sauce thickens. Season with salt. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Rinse eggplant slices under cold running water. Squeeze out liquid and pat dry with paper towels. Whisk egg yolks into the cooled bechamel.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and cook eggplant slices in batches until each side is lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on a large plate lined with paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Heat remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Cook grated onion until soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook and stir until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Season with allspice, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until all excess liquid has evaporated and mixture appears dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in parsley and remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir in the egg white.
- Arrange a layer of eggplant in the prepared baking dish. Cover eggplant with all of the beef mixture and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Cover with remaining eggplant and sprinkle another 1/3 of Parmesan cheese on top. Pour bechamel sauce over the top and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the top of the moussaka is set and golden, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 628 calories, Carbohydrate 35.3 g, Cholesterol 172.8 mg, Fat 44.2 g, Fiber 11.2 g, Protein 26.2 g, SaturatedFat 18.5 g, Sodium 718.3 mg, Sugar 16.7 g
TRADITIONAL MOUSSAKA RECIPE WITH EGGPLANTS (AUBERGINES) AND POTATOES
The very best traditional Greek Moussaka recipe. Imagine layers of juicy beef mince, sweet eggplants, and creamy béchamel sauce baked to perfection!
Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos
Categories Main
Time 1h45m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- To prepare this Greek moussaka recipe, begin by preparing the eggplants. Remove the stalks from the eggplants and cut them into slices, 1 cm thick. Season with salt and place in a colander for about half an hour.
- and squeeze with your hands, to get rid of the excessive water. Pat them dry and fry in plenty of oil, until nicely colored. Place the fried eggplants on some paper, in order to absorb the oil. (For a lighter version of the traditional Greek moussaka try drizzling the aubergines with some olive oil and bake them for 20 minutes instead of frying them). Set aside when done.
- If you are adding potatoes to your moussaka, now its time to slice them into 0.5cm, half a finger width slices. Fry them or bake them in the same way as the eggplants. Season with some salt and set them aside when done.
- for the moussaka. Heat a large pan to medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Stir in the chopped onions and sauté, until softened and slightly colored. Stir in the mince breaking it up with a wooden spoon and sauté. When it starts to brown, add the the garlic and tomato paste and sauté until the garlic starts to soften. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the meat juices and wait to evaporate. Add the tinned tomatoes, the sugar, a pinch of cinnamon, 1 bay leaf and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to the boil then turn the heat down and simmer with the lid on for about 30 minutes or until most of the juices have evaporated. Set aside when done.
- for the moussaka. Use a large pan to melt the butter over low-medium heat. Add the flour whisking continuously to make a paste. Add warmed milk in a steady stream; keep whisking in order to prevent your sauce from getting lumpy. If the sauce still needs to thicken, boil over low heat while continuing to stir. Its consistency should resemble a thick cream.
- Remove the béchamel pan from the stove and stir in the egg yolks, salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and the most of the grated cheese. Reserve some cheese to sprinkle on top! Whisk quickly, in order to prevent the eggs from turning an omelette! Season with salt to taste. Take one spoon full of béchamel and stir it in the meat sauce. Set the béchamel sauce aside.
- Now its time to assemble the moussaka. For this moussaka recipe you will need a large baking dish, approx. 20x30cm / 8x12inch and 8cm/3 inch deep). Butter the bottom and sides of the pan and layer the potatoes first (if you're using them), then half the eggplants. Pour in all of the meat sauce and spread it out evenly. Add a second layer of eggplants, top with all of the béchamel sauce and smooth out with a spatula.
- . Preheat you oven at 180C/350F and bake your musaka for about 60 minutes or until its crust turns light golden brown. Even though it will be really hard to do so, you should wait for the moussaka to cool down and be just warm to the touch before cutting into pieces. This will prevent the béchamel sauce from pouring out when you're cutting your pieces.
- Serve the Moussaka with a refreshing Traditional Greek Salad and enjoy over a glass of wine!
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Piece, Calories 455kcal, Sugar 11g, Sodium 84.6mg, Fat 19.1g, SaturatedFat 8.2g, UnsaturatedFat 9.7g, TransFat 0g, Carbohydrate 61g, Fiber 5.3g, Protein 14.7g, Cholesterol 72.1mg
BEEF MOUSSAKA
This low-fat casserole relies on spices, tomato paste, wine and vinegar for flavor instead of the ton of cheese (and fat) found in regular moussaka recipes.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the eggplants, potatoes, olive oil, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl, then spread the vegetables on the baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes, tossing the vegetables about halfway through. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, make the Meat Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, garlic and ginger; stir quickly to toast spices evenly. Once fragrant, add 1/2 cup water to the pan and stir to combine, scraping up any brown bits. Add the beef to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to break it up, and cook until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the wine, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook until the meat is fully cooked and the juices are reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley and set aside.
- Make the Bechamel: Put the milk and flour in a small saucepan and whisk until the flour is dissolved. Place the pan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a boil; continue to whisk until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove from the heat and whisk in 3/4 cup of the Parmesan; set aside.
- Assemble the Moussaka: Spray a 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the eggplants and potatoes in the bottom of the dish, layer the meat sauce evenly over the vegetables, top with the bechamel and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until the top is browned and slightly puffed, 35 to 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
- Make-Ahead Tip: The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated overnight before baking. The baked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 weeks; cover with foil and reheat at 350 degrees F until hot, 35 to 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calorie, Fat 15 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Cholesterol 65 milligrams, Sodium 970 milligrams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 28 grams, Sugar 8 grams
BEEF AND POTATO MOUSSAKA
My son-who is now 27-brought home this Greek moussaka recipe with potatoes (a classic Greek entree) when he had a sixth-grade assignment about Greece. It earned high marks when we made it for his class. -Jean Puffer, Chilliwack, British Columbia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h25m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes, breaking into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in water, tomato paste, parsley, salt, mint if desired, cinnamon and pepper. Set aside., For sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Add cheese and salt., Place half of the potato slices in a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish. Top with half the cheese sauce and all of the meat mixture. Arrange remaining potatoes over meat mixture; top with remaining cheese sauce., Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 160°, about 1 hour. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488 calories, Fat 24g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 205mg cholesterol, Sodium 918mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 27g protein.
HOB-TO-TABLE MOUSSAKA
Try this rich, hearty and quick variation on the classic family favourite
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Brown the mince: Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan. Toss in the onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the mince and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until browned.
- Season and simmer: Tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir in the tomato purée and cinnamon, then season generously with salt and pepper. Leave the mince to simmer for 20 minutes, adding the aubergines half way through.
- To serve: Sprinkle the crumbled feta and chopped mint over the mince. Bring the moussaka to the table as the feta melts and serve it with a crunchy green salad and toasted pitta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 529 calories, Fat 39 grams fat, SaturatedFat 16 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 11 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, Sodium 2.31 milligram of sodium
VEGETARIAN MOUSSAKA
This recipe always gets rave reviews from vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Easy to make, but takes time. Serve with salad.
Provided by Anne Buchanan
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 2h
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt and set aside for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Rinse and pat eggplant dry. Cook eggplant and zucchini in hot oil until lightly browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side; remove with a slotted spoon to drain on a paper towel-lined plate, reserving as much oil as possible in the skillet
- Adding more oil to skillet as needed and let it get hot. Cook potato slices in hot oil until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side; remove with slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate, again reserving oil in the skillet.
- Saute onion and garlic in reserved oil until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour in vinegar, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium-low; cook until liquid is reduced in volume and thick. Stir in tomatoes, lentils, 1/2 the juice from lentils, oregano and parsley. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes.
- Layer about 1/3 of the eggplant, 1/3 of the zucchini, 1/2 the potatoes, 1/2 the onions, and 1/2 the feta into a 13x9-inch baking dish. Pour tomato mixture over vegetables; repeat layering, finishing with a layer of eggplant and zucchini.
- Cover and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Stir butter, flour, and milk together in a small saucepan; bring to a slow boil, whisking constantly until thick and smooth. Season with pepper and nutmeg; stir. Remove from heat, cool for 5 minutes, and stir in beaten egg.
- Pour sauce over vegetables and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, for another 25 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 239.8 calories, Carbohydrate 25.5 g, Cholesterol 58.2 mg, Fat 11.8 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 425.7 mg, Sugar 9.3 g
STOVE-TOP MOUSSAKA
Moussaka is such a yummy dish but it can be a tad of a chore to put together sometimes. This is a quick version that can be made on the stovetop and be on the table in no time. I originally found this recipe in BBC Good Food Magazine.
Provided by Sarah_Jayne
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large, shallow pan.
- Toss in the onion and garlic and fry until soft.
- Add the ground lamb and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until browned.
- Tip the tomatoes into the pan and stir in the tomato paste and cinnamon, then season generously with salt and pepper.
- Leave the mince to simmer for 20 minutes, adding the eggplant half way through.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta and chopped mint over the lamb.
- Bring the moussaka to the table as the feta melts and serve it with a crunchy green salad and toasted pita.
MOUSSAKA
Steps:
- For the Eggplant and Potatoes: Season the eggplant and potatoes with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 inch of oil to a large skillet and heat. When the oil is hot, fry the potato slices, flipping once, until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the potatoes to a paper towel lined plate. Replenish the oil so there is still 1/2 inch in the bottom of the pan. Fry the eggplant slices in the oil, flipping once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Add more oil as necessary. Remove the eggplant from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.
- For the Lamb Tomato Sauce mixture: Place a saute pan on the stove over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the ground lamb. Saute the ground lamb for 2 minutes, until it begins to turn brown. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess fat from the pan. Season the mixture with oregano, bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon and cook for 3 more minutes. Deglaze the pan with red wine. Cook over medium high heat until the red wine has reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture is a thick tomato sauce consistency, about 30 minutes. Check for seasoning. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
- For the Bechamel: In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour to make a roux. Cook the roux over medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes, or until it becomes a very pale tan color. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Add the nutmeg and the lemon juice. Simmer, stirring constantly, over low heat for 15 minutes. The mixture should be fairly thick. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together. Take 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture and whisk it into the beaten eggs. This will temper the eggs. Whisk the egg/milk mixture back into the milk mixture. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir. Over very low heat, cook this mixture for 3 more minutes. Be careful not to let the mixture simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and cool.
- To finish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle the bottom of a 9x13 inch-baking dish with 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs. Place a layer of the eggplant over the breadcrumbs. Place a layer of the potatoes over the eggplant. Place 1/2 of the lamb tomato sauce mixture over the potatoes. Spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce over the lamb mixture. Top the bechamel with another layer of eggplant and another layer of potatoes. Top with the remaining lamb mixture. Place one more layer of eggplant and potatoes over the lamb mixture. Top with the remaining bechamel. Sprinkle with the remaining breadcrumbs and the Parmesan cheese. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with mint and parsley.
MOUSSAKA
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
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- 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. Set aside; reduce oven setting to 400°., In a large skillet, cook lamb, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, 1/4 teaspoon salt, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, 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 until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg., Arrange par-cooked 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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 453 calories, Fat 25g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 99mg cholesterol, Sodium 700mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
SKILLET MOUSSAKA
Make and share this Skillet Moussaka recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Alan in SW Florida
Categories Savory Pies
Time 45m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Peel eggplant, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Coat with 2 tablespoons flour; set aside.
- Cook lamb, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat until meat is browned, stirring to crumble meat; drain.
- Return meat mixture to skillet.
- Add eggplant; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in 2 tablespoons flour.
- Combine egg yolk and milk; add to butter mixture, and cook over low heat until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
- Pour sauce over meat mixture; top with cheese.
- Cover and cook over medium heat until cheese melts.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 616.1, Fat 44.6, SaturatedFat 22.4, Cholesterol 178.9, Sodium 739.4, Carbohydrate 23.4, Fiber 6.1, Sugar 6.7, Protein 31.5
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best results.
- Make sure the eggplant is well salted and drained to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the eggplant in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan and ensure even cooking.
- Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook the moussaka so that all the ingredients can fit comfortably.
- Be patient when layering the moussaka; take your time to ensure each layer is even and compact.
- Allow the moussaka to cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Conclusion:
Stove-top moussaka is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a family meal or special occasion. With its layers of savory minced meat, tender eggplant, creamy béchamel sauce, and melted cheese, it is sure to be a hit. The addition of red wine and cinnamon adds depth and complexity to the flavor, making this moussaka truly unforgettable. So next time you're looking for a dish that is both impressive and delicious, give stove-top moussaka a try. You won't be disappointed.
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