Moussaka
Moussaka is a savory Mediterranean casserole featuring tender eggplant layers topped with a rich, meaty sauce and creamy béchamel. Its warm flavors of tomato, herbs, and cinnamon make it a comforting dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions seeking hearty, flavorful cuisine.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplant ⓘ
- 2 lb. extra-lean ground beef or lamb ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium tomato sauce ⓘ
- 3/4 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- Dash of ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon polyunsaturated margarine ⓘ
- 2 cups skim milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot starch ⓘ
Instructions
- Peel eggplant and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
- Brown eggplant slices in a non-stick frypan.
- Set aside.
- In the same pan, cook chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.
- Add ground beef or lamb and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato sauce, red wine, parsley, oregano, cinnamon, and a dash of ground cinnamon.
- Simmer the meat sauce for 20-30 minutes.
- Prepare béchamel sauce by heating skim milk, then whisk in arrowroot starch and cottage cheese until smooth and thickened.
- Layer eggplant slices in a baking dish, top with the meat sauce, then repeat layers.
- Pour the béchamel over the assembled layers.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 40-50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
720
kcal
36% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).