Moussaka is a Greek classic, and here I’ll show you how to make it in the most delicious way possible!
Moussaka is a labour of love, there’s no two ways about it. There’s a fair few steps, but once you get in the swing of things it truly couldn’t be easier to make. There’s also a fair few different ways to make Moussaka, but today I’ll show you what I deem to be the most delicious way! Follow me…
Meat Sauce for Moussaka
Beef vs Lamb
There’s a lot of dispute over what’s the traditional meat to use in Moussaka. Most commonly you’d see lamb or beef being used, but I’ve even read pork or veal has traditional roots! I’ve personally tried this recipe using beef and lamb, and have settled with beef. In my opinion it takes on the flavour profile of a Moussaka better, but you can use lamb if you wanted.
Thick Consistency
The meat sauce for a Moussaka is somewhat similar to a classic ragu/bolognese. One of the main differences is the consistency. Moussaka is known for having distinctive layers, and ensuring your meat sauce has reduced down properly will help create those layers.
Cinnamon
Another distinctive part of a Moussaka’s meat sauce is the use of cinnamon. It’s quite subtle, but it really gives that classic Moussaka flavour. You can use a cinnamon stick, or use ground cinnamon as I’ve done here!
Process shots: fry onion and garlic (photo 1), fry ground beef (photo 2), add tomato paste (photo 3), fry then add red wine (photo 4), pour in stock and passata then add thyme, parsley, bay leaves, cinnamon and seasoning (photo 5), simmer until thick consistency (photo 6).
Vegetables in Moussaka
Eggplant/Aubergine
Eggplant in Moussaka is essential. To prepare it you’ll need to slice then sprinkle with salt and leave to rest. This will not only draw out unwanted moisture, but will also remove the bitter taste from the eggplant.
Potato
You could probably get away with just layering with eggplant and still call it a Moussaka, but potato is very widely used. And of course, me being me and this blog being this blog, I highly recommend adding potato. After you’ve sliced the spuds I recommend patting dry to remove unwanted moisture.
Zucchini/Courgette
Not as widely used, but still an authentic addition. Same as above, just pat the slices dry to remove moisture.
You could pat the veg dry with tea towels, but I like to stack them between sheets of paper towel. That way you can soak them all at once and just leave them until needed.
Baking vs Frying
Traditionally you’d fry the veg, but as times have moved on so has the cooking method. As such nowadays it’s just as common to bake the veg. Me? You know I’m not shy of oil around here 😂
I fry the veg mainly because I’ve always got some leftover pot of oil that needs recycling. That and you do get more of a deeper golden ‘crust’, which offers slightly more flavour.
The obvious downside is the absorption of oil, namely in the eggplant (which is like a sponge!). As such just make sure you thoroughly pat it all dry with paper towels before you stack the Moussaka.
Béchamel Sauce for Moussaka
Meat Sauce layer ✅
Veg layer ✅
The third and final main layer is the béchamel sauce. Again, this is similar to a classic béchamel you’d use in an Italian lasagne, just with a few differences:
- Consistency – Just like the meat sauce, this béchamel is MUCH thicker than the classic. Again, just to ensure it creates a defiant layer that doesn’t seep into the meat sauce.
- Egg Yolk – These help thicken the sauce, but also add a gentle rich flavour.
- Seasoning – nutmeg and white pepper are a must! The béchamel sauce makes up quite a thick layer so it’s important it’s properly seasoned.
What Cheese to use?
Traditionally you’d use Kefalotyri, but realistically most hard cheeses work well. Here I use Pecorino, but Parmesan works nicely.
Process shots: melt butter (photo 1), stir in flour (photo 2), whisk in milk (photo 3), add seasoning (photo 4), add cheese (photo 5), stir in egg yolks (photo 6).
Moussaka Layers
You can stack a Moussaka in various different ways, but you really want to ensure the potatoes are at the bottom, just to create a sturdy base. Then you finish with a nice thick layer of the béchamel. This also ends up going beautifully golden and crispy as it bakes 😛. Here’s how I stack mine:
How to layer a Moussaka
- Potatoes – Sprinkled with cheese, parsley, salt & pepper.
- Zucchini/Courgette – Stacked in the opposite direction to the potatoes. Sprinkled with cheese, parsley, salt & pepper.
- Eggplant/Aubergine – Only use half, sprinkled with salt & pepper.
- Meat Sauce – Ensure this is nice and level/flat.
- Eggplant/Aubergine – Second half stacked in opposite direction to the first layer, seasoned with salt & pepper.
- Béchamel Sauce – Topped with more cheese.
Moussaka FAQ
Can you assemble moussaka ahead of time?
Yep! You can then rest in the fridge until ready to bake. Just make sure you bring it to room temp before you bake to take the chill out of the centre.
Does moussaka freeze well?
It sure does. You can do this baked or unbaked. Just thaw in the fridge then bake as needed.
What to serve with Moussaka?
You can serve by itself, just garnished with a good pinch of fresh parsley. It’s also nice with a small side salad or even a chunky of crusty bread! Check out my Sides for more inspo.
For more comfort food classics check out these beauties:
Hearty Ground Beef Dinners
How to make Moussaka (Full Recipe & Video)
Outrageously Delicious Greek Moussaka
Equipment
- Large Pot or Pan & Wooden Spoon (for beef)
- Large Pot or Pan & Tongs (suitable for shallow/deep frying veg)
- Medium/Large Pot & Whisk (for bechamel sauce)
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- 8" x 12" Baking Dish (or similar size)
- Kitchen Papers Towel (lots of it!)
- Serving Spatula/Spoon
- Fine Cheese Grater
- Jug (for milk)
- Kitchen Thermometer (for frying)
Ingredients
Beef Layer
- 1.6lb / 750g Ground Beef (preferably fairly lean)
- 1 cup / 240ml Tomato Passata (pureed/strained tomatoes in US)
- 1 cup / 240ml Beef Stock
- 1/2 cup / 120ml Dry Red Wine (can sub more beef stock)
- 1/4 cup finely diced Fresh Parsley, plus extra to serve
- 2 heaped tbsp Tomato Paste (Tomato Puree in UK)
- 1 tbsp finely diced Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1 large White Onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves of Garlic, finely diced
- 2 small or 1 large Bay Leaf
- 3/4 tsp Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Sugar (any)
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper, or to taste
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Béchamel Sauce
- 4oz / 120g Unsalted Butter
- 4oz / 120g Plain Flour
- 4 cups / 1litre Milk, at room temp
- 1 cup / 80g freshly grated Pecorino Romano, plus extra to serve (Kefalotiri Cheese is traditional, can also sub parmesan)
- 2 Egg Yolks
- 1/2 tsp Salt, or to taste
- 1/2 small Nutmeg, grated (or 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg)
- 1/4 tsp White Pepper
Veg Layers (see notes for baking version)
- 2lb / 1kg (approx 4 smallish) Eggplants/Aubergine, sliced around 1/3" thickness (I do lengthways but you can make more smaller rounds if you wish)
- 1.6lb / 750g (approx 2 large) Baking Potatoes, peeled & sliced around 1/4"
- 1lb / 500g (approx 2 medium) Zucchini/Courgettes, sliced into approx 1/3" strips (I do lengthways)
- 2 cups / 500ml Vegetable or Olive Oil, or enough to cover veg in the pan
- few pinches of Parsley & Pecorino (to sprinkle in between layers)
- Salt & Pepper, as needed
Instructions
- Beef Layer: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add onion and fry until it begins to soften/brown, then add in garlic and fry for 1-2mins longer. Add in beef and break up with a wooden spoon until fully browned. Stir in tomato paste and fry for a couple of mins, then pour in wine. Deglaze the pan if needed, then pour in passata and beef stock. Add in parsley, thyme, cinnamon, salt, sugar, pepper & bay leaf and give it a good stir. Keep on a gentle simmer for around 30mins, stirring occasionally until nice and thick. Meanwhile...
- PREP Veg Layer: Rest few sheets of paper towel on a flat surface and lay on your eggplant slices. Rub a pinch of salt over both sides, then add two layers of paper towels on top. On top of that add the zucchini slices, followed by another layer of paper towel, followed by potato slices and finished with another layer of paper towel. Gently press down to soak up the moisture. Can use tea towels instead if you wish.
- COOK Veg Layer: Heat up enough oil to cover the veg in a suitably sized pot/pan until it gently sizzles (you're aiming for around 150C/300F). Carefully start sliding in your potato slices and fry both sides until lightly golden with the potato fork tender. Remove, shake off oil and place on fresh paper towel. Increase oil temp slightly to around 170C/340F and fry the zucchini slices until softened & lightly browned, then finish with the eggplant slices. Leave everything to drain on paper towels. You can use two pans to speed things up or bake one or two of the veg (see notes).
- Béchamel Sauce: In a suitably sized pot over medium heat melt butter. Stir in flour to create a paste then gradually begin whisking in your milk. Once you've poured in all the milk and the sauce is thick, stir in salt, white pepper and nutmeg. Take the pot off heat and stir in pecorino until the sauce is lump free, then quickly whisk in the egg yolks. Take 1/2 cup of the sauce and stir it into the beef.
- Stack Moussaka: Add a layer of potato to the baking dish (overlapping as needed) and sprinkle over a hefty pinch of parsley, pecorino, salt & pepper. Follow with zucchini and parsley/pecorino/salt/pepper, then half the eggplant with a pinch of salt and pepper. Try and close all the gaps and make it all nice and compact. Spread over beef layer, top with the rest of your eggplant then top with the Béchamel sauce.
- Cook & Serve Moussaka: Finish with a sprinkling of pecorino then place in the oven at 180C/350F for 35-45mins, or until golden on top. I highly recommend leaving it to sit for at least 15mins, just to help it keep shape. Serve up and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for more?
You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’
If you loved this Moussaka Recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
I made this exactly as the recipe said (without the zucchini) and the flavor was spot on! Next time I will try cooking the potatoes and eggplant in the oven or air fryer to save time. I don’t usually cook from recipes and going back and forth reading the recipe while cooking took me forever. I think I spent about 3 hours to make this but next time will be faster.
Great to hear this worked out well, Lisa! This is quite a time-consuming recipe, but you’ll definitely get quicker with time I’m sure 🙂 C.
This was my first time making this recipe and moussaka in general. I got the purée and paste portions mixed up and I accidentally used the egg whites too. It was still a BIG!! Hit at my dinner table!!! I now have a new favorite food. Thank you so much!!
So great to hear it turned out well! Thanks so much for popping back for a review 🙂 C.
I knew all the hard work I was in for, as I have successfully made moussaka using a different recipe before. Today, I decided to use your recipe.
My husband fried all the vegetables, helped me prepare the sauce, and whisked the béchamel sauce. I did all the dicing, cutting, measuring, stacking, etc. A team effort with marvelous results. My neighbor called raving about the outrageously delicious piece I gave him. Labor intensive, but well worth it. The leftovers were frozen, so there are 2 other meals ready to eat.
Thanks so much for the review, Diane! It is indeed a labour of love, but so happy to hear you enjoyed the end product! 🙂 C.
This is the ONLY recipe you’ll need for moussaka. I opted to bake the potatoes and eggplant (subbed eggplant for the zucchini as I had lots of it), and I was very happy with the end product. It is a labour of love, but totally worth the work and dishes it takes to make. I only order moussaka when I go out for Greek, and this is as good, if not better than restaurant quality (from a high end place to boot!). My hubby said it’s as good as ordering from the restaurant. And obviously, it’s just as good reheated as well! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
This is such a lovely review, Dolly. Thank you so much 🙂 C.
Sweet LORD this was amazing. I left out the beef for my veggie loving group, and it was absolutely incredible. The potatoes and eggplant together are a match made in heaven! Will be saving this and making again and again.
Thanks so much for the review, Angie! 🙂 C.
I’m a foodie and I cook at home most nights. Have never left a review on a recipe but I couldn’t skip giving this recipe 5 stars. It was so delicious and I made it exactly as written except I halved the recipe and used the “baked method” as noted for all the veggies. Meat sauce and bechamel were perfect consistency! The only challenge was eating so late. It was a bit much for a Thursday night cooking project and took longer to prepare than expected. Totally worth the effort and our late dining was very Mediterranean style! Next time I will double the meat sauce and freeze half to speed up the making of a future casserole. Thank you Chris!
So lovely to hear this was a success for you!! Thanks so much for the review 🙂 C.
Great moussakka recipe! Made as specified except eliminate zucchini since I was using it in something else being served. I fried the first eggplant and potatoes, and baked the second eggplant to save time. I might have slice the eggplant too thin on my mandolin since it became almost transparent when I cooked it, so in the future will slice a bit thicker. I also used parmesan cheese since that is what I had.
Delicious, with rave reviews from my family! I will make again but perhaps try and roast the veggies and/or sub ground turkey for the beef.
So great to hear this went down well! Thanks so much for stopping by for a review 🙂 C.
I have now made this recipe three times with slight variations in my method. The first time I followed it to the letter and fried everything. The second time I fried the potatoes and baked the zucchini and eggplant. The third time I decided to use a layer of creamed potatoes instead of the slices and went back to frying the zucchini and eggplant. All three times my bechamel sauce never really thickened like I thought it should so I still have to practice with that. All three times it was SO delicious! We grew our own zucchini and eggplant so that is what I used. I will say that this takes HOURS to make. I reserve 6-7 total hours to prep and bake.
So great to hear you’re enjoying the Moussaka, Wendy! Thanks so much for popping back for a review 🙂 C.
Many years ago I decided to make Moussaka from a NY Times recipe.
It took all of eight hours, and endless steps and much patience; but
when all was done it was worth every minute! Your recipe seems to
be very much like the one I used 50 (?) years ago; therefore I will try
it again. It’s a dish that’s unlike any other!!!
It is indeed but I’m confident you’ll love it! 🙂 C.
Had a glorious afternoon in the kitchen this Sunday making this Moussaka!
OMG so delicious and now portioned in the fridge and freezer
Found the meat sauce a little too wet, but might have been the mince was not as lean as it could have been and a splash too much wine 🙂 A little cornflour helped.
Great to hear this went down well, Ali! Thanks so much for popping back for a review 🙂 C.