Moussaka (Musaka) Recipe

Moussaka or Musaka is a delicious main dish made up of three layers. The bottom layer is a yummy roasted or fried eggplant slices, the middle layer is a well-seasoned meat and tomato sauce, and the top layer is a creamy bechamel sauce. Moussaka can be eaten hot or cold; it is delicious both ways.

What do you know about Moussaka (Musak) recipe?

Moussaka is an eggplants casserole recipe that is widely spread in the Mediterranean such as Egypt and Greece. But unlike the Greece Moussaka, the Egyptian Moussaka doesn't usually have the bechamel sauce (top layer).

Moussaka is an easy recipe that requires three easy steps:
First step is baking or frying the eggplant (I prefer baking the eggplant in the oven).
Second step is cooking the meat sauce.
Third step is making the top layer which is the bechamel layer.

Moussaka Ingredients:

The roasted eggplant layer: Four eggplants and oil.

For the meat filling: Minced beef (use extra lean beef), minced onion, cinnamon, salt, cardamom, black pepper, bay leaf, and tomato sauce.

For the bechamel sauce: Milk (whole or skimmed), butter, olive oil, plain flour, salt, and ground black pepper.

How to make Moussaka (Musaka)?

Roasting the eggplant: Cut the eggplant into slices and arrange them on a baking sheet then spray them with oil, both sides. Bake the eggplants at 210C for about 20-30 minutes or until become soft.

Making the meat sauce: In a pot or pan, add minced onion, cinnamon, salt, cardamom, black pepper, bay leaf, and tomato sauce. Stir then cook for 20-25 minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. (Don't forget to stir occasionally).

Making the bechamel sauce: In a saucepan, add oil and butter on medium heat. Once the butter melts add the flour, stir and cook for 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, and the milk slowly (pour it in a tiny stream) while stirring vigorously. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens then turn off the heat.

Assembling everything: Arrange half of the eggplant slices in a 21x21 cm baking dish.
Top the eggplant with all the meat sauce, then cover the sauce with the rest of the eggplant slices. 
Finally, spread the bechamel sauce on the top.

Baking:Bake at 190C for 30 minutes or until the top has a lovely golden colour.
Remove from the oven and let it cool down for ten minutes then cut and serve.

Top tips:

• If you love Moussaka to be spicy add ½ teaspoon cayanne pepper, or 1 jalapeño pepper (chopped) to the meat sauce while cooking.
• If you are cheese lover, you can sprinkle some parmesan, cheddar, or mozzarella cheese on top of the bechamel sauce for extra flavour.
• Traditionally, this recipe calls for frying the eggplant (aubergine) slices, not roasting them. However, I tried both ways, and I found that roasting the eggplant is just as delicious as frying while also being much healthier.
• You can roast eggplant slices ahead of time and keep them in the fridge.
• Feel free to use minced lamb or beef in making the meat sauce.
• If you want to make large quantities of Moussaka, just double the ingredients and make more layers. Like 3 layers eggplant slices, 2 layers meat sauce and top them with the top layer of bechamel sauce. It will look like lasagna. To make that you need to use a bigger baking dish.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can. You can make it 2-3 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Actually, I used to make the three layers (roasted eggplant slices, meat sauce, and bechamel sauce) and keep them in the fridge. I only assembled everything and baked it right before serving.

How to store Moussaka? Can I freeze it? 

To store Moussaka: Cover it well and keep in the fridge; it will last for 5 days in the fridge.

To freeze it: Slice it and put the slices in an airtight container and keep in the freezer for 1-2 months.

How to reheat it?

To reheat Moussaka, if it was in the freezer, let it thaw completely then put in the oven at 190C for 20 minutes.

How to make a light Moussaka?

To make Moussaka light, here are some suggestions:

• Use a skimmed milk in making the bechamel sauce or even skip the bechamel sauce.
• Use an extra lean beef.
• Roast the eggplant instead of frying it (like me).

Can I make Moussaka as a low carb dish?

Yes, you can, only replace the bechamel sauce with cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, you can. To do that replace the meat sauce with a mixture of 1 cup of tomato sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon dried basil.

Serving suggestions:

Moussaka can be served with any salad you like, especially green salad, bread, some tomato chunks, or some pickles. Some suggestions below:

Mediterranean couscous salad
Homemade coleslaw salad
Creamy mushroom chicken
Crispy fried chicken recipe
Homemade chicken nuggets

More Meditaranian Recipes:

Mediterranean Eggplant Salad: A flavourful eggplant salad that is so delicious and easy to make.

Spanakopita - Spinach Pie: This is a traditional Greek pie made with spinach, onion, egg, and feta cheese.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad: This is a simple couscous salad made with couscous, veggies, feta cheese, and drizzled with a tangy lemon and herbs dressing.

Homemade crispy falafel: It is a famous dish in Egypt and all the middle east area; it is delicious and is made with lots of veggies.

Tools used in making this recipe:

• Sharp knife: to cut the eggplants into slices.
• Chopping board: to use in cutting the eggplants.
• Baking dish: to bake Moussaka. 
• Saucepan: to make the bechamel sauce.

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