Greek Moussaka Recipe: A Savory Delight
Eating on vacation always has a special meaning. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the country and its people and to discover the local cuisine. Traditional and classic dishes from Mediterranean cuisine are particularly popular. 🍽️
From our last sailing holiday in Greece from our base in Volos we brought back a recipe that was particularly popular with our children - moussaka.
Moussaka is a popular Greek dish known for its rich flavors and comforting layers of eggplant, potatoes, minced meat and creamy béchamel sauce. This hearty casserole is a staple of Greek cuisine.
➡️ In this blog post we share a traditional Greek moussaka recipe that will take your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean. 😋
Ingredients for our favorite moussaka recipe
- 600 g potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 mm thin slices
- 600 g aubergines, stems removed, cut into 2 mm thin slices
- 500 g minced meat, preferably lamb
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 large can of tomatoes, peeled and without juice (approx. 800 g)
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
- 4 eggs
- 40g butter
- 40g flour
- 375 ml milk
- 100g grated Parmesan or other grated cheese
- olive oil
- nutmeg
Preparation of the moussaka recipe
Step 1: Prepare the eggplants 🍆
Wash the eggplants thoroughly and cut them into thick slices. Salt the eggplants and let them stand for 30 minutes. Then carefully pat dry. Heat oil in a pan and fry the eggplant slices for about 30 seconds on each side. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
Step 2: Prepare the potatoes 🥔
Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Then heat the oil in the pan again and fry the potato slices for 10 minutes, turning several times.
Step 3: Prepare the minced meat 🥩
Heat some oil in a pot and fry the meat, onions and garlic. Be careful not to let the garlic brown, this will make it bitter. Add the tomatoes and chop them up a little. Season with bay leaf, cinnamon, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cook with the pot open, stirring constantly, until all the liquid has boiled away. Remove the bay leaf and season again. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 2 eggs.
Step 4: Make the béchamel sauce 🧈
Melt the butter in a second pot. Dust with flour and sweat briefly. Gradually pour in the milk and let it simmer until thick while stirring. Season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in a tablespoon of cheese and the remaining eggs.
Step 5: Layer and bake ✔️
Grease a large, shallow baking dish with olive oil. First add half of the potatoes and then half of the aubergines. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and sprinkle with a little cheese. Then distribute the minced meat mixture evenly on top. Place the remaining potatoes and aubergines on top, pour over the béchamel sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 - 40 minutes.
Conclusion on the Greek specialty
This traditional Greek moussaka recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. Try it and bring a touch of Greece into your kitchen.
Moussaka is one of the favorite recipes of our son Lars, who at 16 years old is enthusiastically in the kitchen and prepares it almost alone for us. 😊
It's always a special joy when the whole family cooks and enjoys meals together! - Klaus Pitter
Your next sailing holiday in Greece
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Greece on a sailing holiday and enjoy moussaka in a cozy tavern or have a go yourself on board - together with the whole crew. 👨🍳
Our tip: Start from our base in Volos and experience the authenticity of Greece. The Gulf of Volos and the Northern Sporades are a sailing area away from mass tourism. Here you will find the perfect combination of fantastic bays and culinary delights.
