How do I make a hearty moussaka ?

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Experience Greek cuisine at its finest with our delicious Moussaka recipe! Layers of eggplant, ground meat, and creamy béchamel sauce make for a comforting and satisfying meal.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I make a hearty Moussaka . Items include:  Eggplant  Ground beef  Onion  Garlic cloves  Dried oregano  Salt  Black pepper  Tomato sauce  Olive oil  Butter  All-purpose flour  Milk  Nutmeg
  • Eggplant 2 large
  • Ground beef 1 pound
  • Onion 1 medium, diced
  • Garlic cloves 2, minced
  • Dried oregano 1 teaspoon
  • Salt As needed
  • Black pepper A dash
  • Tomato sauce 1 cup
  • Olive oil As needed
  • Butter 4 tablespoons
  • All-purpose flour 4 tablespoons
  • Milk 2 cups
  • Nutmeg A pinch

Take note
Be careful when handling hot dishes and sharp knives during the cooking process. Also, be aware that the prep and cooking times can vary depending on your cooking speed and equipment.

1

Prep the Eggplant

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice two large eggplants into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Sprinkle some salt on both sides of the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

2

Cook the Meat Sauce

While the eggplant slices sit, it's time to cook the meat sauce. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add one diced onion and two minced garlic cloves, and sauté until the onion turns translucent. Then, add one pound of ground beef and stir until it's nicely browned. To season it up, sprinkle in a teaspoon of dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and a dash of freshly ground black pepper. Pour in a cup of tomato sauce, give it a good mix, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

3

Layer It Up

Now that the eggplant and meat sauce are ready, it's time to layer it all up. Grab a baking dish and start by greasing it with a bit of olive oil. Place a layer of eggplant slices on the bottom, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Repeat this process, creating alternating layers until you run out of eggplant and meat sauce. Finally, finish off with a layer of eggplant on top.

4

Make the Béchamel Sauce

To add the creamy touch, it's time to make the béchamel sauce. In a saucepan, melt four tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in four tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a thick paste. Slowly pour in two cups of milk while whisking continuously. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

5

Bake and Enjoy

Pour the prepared béchamel sauce over the assembled layers, making sure it spreads evenly. Pop the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and bubbly. Once ready, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice it into servings and serve warm. Enjoy the hearty goodness of your homemade Moussaka!