Vegetable Moussaka

Health score
21%
Vegetable Moussaka
45 min.
8
378kcal

Suggestions


Indulge in the rich and comforting flavors of Vegetable Moussaka, a delightful dish that brings the essence of Mediterranean cuisine right to your table. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this hearty main course serves up to eight people, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings or dinner parties. With a preparation time of just 45 minutes, you can easily whip up this delicious meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

This vibrant moussaka features layers of tender, roasted eggplant, sautéed vegetables, and a luscious tomato sauce, all topped with a creamy béchamel infused with Parmesan cheese. The combination of fresh ingredients, including carrots, celery, and portobello mushrooms, creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The hint of cinnamon and oregano adds a warm, aromatic touch that elevates this dish to a new level of deliciousness.

Not only is this Vegetable Moussaka a feast for the senses, but it also offers a balanced nutritional profile, with a caloric breakdown that includes a healthy mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is straightforward and rewarding, ensuring that you can impress your guests with minimal effort. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to savor a slice of this Mediterranean masterpiece!

Ingredients

  • tablespoons flour 
  • tablespoons butter ()
  • 28 ounce canned tomatoes with added puree crushed canned
  • cup carrots peeled finely chopped
  • cup celery finely chopped
  • large egg yolk 
  • 3.5 pounds eggplant unpeeled cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
  •  garlic clove minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 0.5 cup olive oil ()
  • large onion thinly sliced
  • teaspoon oregano dried
  • cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 0.3 cup parsley fresh italian chopped
  • 12 ounces portabello mushrooms cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3.5 cups milk whole

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • baking sheet
  • paper towels
  • sauce pan
  • oven
  • whisk
  • glass baking pan

Directions

  1. Cover 2 baking sheets with paper towels.
  2. Sprinkle both sides of eggplant rounds with salt. Arrange eggplant in single layer atop towels.
  3. Let stand 30 minutes.
  4. Position first rack in bottom third of oven and second rack in top third of oven and preheat to 425°F.
  5. Remove eggplant and paper towels from baking sheets. Pat eggplant dry. Oil same baking sheets.
  6. Brush both sides of eggplant rounds with 1/4 cup oil. Arrange in single layer on baking sheets.
  7. Bake 10 minutes. Turn eggplant and rotate pans in oven. Continue baking until tender, about 15 minutes longer. Cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
  8. Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
  9. Add onion, carrots and celery. Sauté until onion is very tender, about 12 minutes.
  10. Mix in garlic, then mushrooms. Sauté until juices evaporate, about 10 minutes.
  11. Mix in oregano and cinnamon.
  12. Add tomatoes and parsley. Cook until mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  13. Lightly oil 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange half of eggplant rounds in single layer in dish. Spoon half of tomato mixture evenly over eggplant.
  14. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Repeat layering with remaining eggplant, tomato mixture and 2 tablespoons cheese.
  15. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
  16. Whisk in flour. Stir 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer until sauce thickens, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.
  17. Whisk in 1/2 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  18. Whisk yolks in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot sauce.
  19. Pour sauce over vegetables in dish.
  20. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese over sauce. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
  21. Bake moussaka until heated through and sauce is golden brown on top, about 45 minutes (or about 55 minutes for refrigerated moussaka). Cool 15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories378kcal
Protein14.5%
Fat48.32%
Carbs37.18%

Properties

Glycemic Index
51.1
Glycemic Load
10.38
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
28.151739079019%

Flavonoids

Delphinidin
170.05mg
Apigenin
4.41mg
Luteolin
0.19mg
Isorhamnetin
0.94mg
Kaempferol
0.22mg
Myricetin
0.31mg
Quercetin
4mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:377.51kcal
18.88%
Fat:21.35g
32.84%
Saturated Fat:10.67g
66.71%
Carbohydrates:36.95g
12.32%
Net Carbohydrates:27.15g
9.87%
Sugar:19.42g
21.57%
Cholesterol:138.06mg
46.02%
Sodium:493.14mg
21.44%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:14.41g
28.82%
Vitamin A:3817.73IU
76.35%
Vitamin K:53.43µg
50.89%
Manganese:0.86mg
42.91%
Fiber:9.8g
39.21%
Phosphorus:373.03mg
37.3%
Potassium:1233.41mg
35.24%
Calcium:334.36mg
33.44%
Selenium:22.98µg
32.83%
Vitamin B6:0.56mg
28.18%
Vitamin B2:0.48mg
28.12%
Folate:108.59µg
27.15%
Vitamin B3:5.2mg
25.97%
Copper:0.51mg
25.71%
Vitamin C:19.19mg
23.26%
Vitamin B1:0.33mg
22.27%
Vitamin B5:2.17mg
21.68%
Vitamin E:3.02mg
20.16%
Magnesium:74.14mg
18.53%
Vitamin B12:0.95µg
15.83%
Iron:2.85mg
15.81%
Zinc:2.17mg
14.49%
Vitamin D:1.82µg
12.16%
Source:Epicurious