Moussaka is one of my favourite dishes to eat. It’s a bit of an involved one to make, you need four different cooking pans going to make all the component parts; that’s why I don’t make it very often! Frying the aubergines, I think, is one of the most laborious parts of making the moussaka so I’ve got a different way of doing it. My moussaka without frying the aubergines is every bit as good as the original and you use far less oil than if you fry them. Win win.
Leaving the bay leaf in the sauce while it bakes really helps to impart a lovely flavour into the béchamel sauce. I’m not sure the potatoes on top are necessarily that traditional but I know so many people who add them to the top that I can’t imagine eating moussaka without them. This is a rich, full of flavour meal and cooking the moussaka without frying the aubergines does make things easier. The once or twice a year I make moussaka I try to make a double batch so that I can keep one in the freezer for a rainy day.
Top Tips
Slicing the aubergine nice and thinly helps it to roast well in the oven. In order to get a good amount of olive oil onto all the aubergine I use a brush to spread the oil evenly over the baking tray.
If you arrange the potatoes on the top so they overlap well it can help to keep the béchamel only on the top. I like how it dribbles down through the layers and mixes with the lamb and aubergines though!
This freezes really well so it’s worth doing a bit of batch cooking.
Variations
You can add some sliced courgette or peppers in place of one (or more) of the aubergines if you like.
I use dried herbs for my moussaka but you can use fresh if you have them. A little fresh oregano would be a nice addition.
Potatoes on top aren’t necessarily traditional so leave them off if you prefer and maybe serve some garlic roasted potatoes or some bread on the side.
Moussaka Without Frying The Aubergines
Ingredients
- 3 large aubergines thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 500 g potatoes sliced (peeled if you prefer)
For the lamb
- 500 g lamb mince
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 large tomato roughly diced
- Salt and pepper
For the béchamel
- 50 g butter
- 50 g plain flour
- 450 ml milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the aubergines
- Preheat an oven to 190C. Get two large non-stick baking trays out and add a good splash of olive oil, you want the bottom of the tray to have a thin coating of oil all over it.
- Arrange the aubergine slices on the trays so that you have a single layer on each tray; a few overlapping is fine because they will shrink as they cook. Drizzle a little more oil over the aubergines and then place in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the aubergines from the oven and turn them over before roasting again for 15-20 minutes or until golden/dark brown. Remove from the oven and put to one side.
- While the aubergines are roasting you can make the other moussaka layers.
For the potatoes
- Add the potatoes to a pan of cold, salted water then place on the hob and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
- Drain the potatoes when they’re cooked and put to one side to cool down.
For the lamb
- Get a large frying pan on a medium heat, add a little oil with the onion and fry for 5-10 minutes until the onion is softened. Add the lamb mince and continue cooking until the mince is well browned; break the mince up with a spoon while cooking.
- Stir in the spices and garlic and cook for another few minutes. Then add the herbs, tomato paste and tomato with a little salt and pepper and leave to simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Stir from time to time.
- While the lamb mixture thickens make the béchamel sauce.
For the béchamel
- Add the butter to a saucepan on a low/medium heat and leave to fully melt. Add the flour and stir together well, cook for a minute or two.
- Add the bay leaf and then gradually pour in the milk, whisking the whole time, then continue whisking while you bring the sauce to a simmer. Keep whisking to ensure there aren't any lumps in the sauce.
- Remove from the heat and add a little salt, plenty of pepper and the nutmeg.
To make the moussaka
- Layer the moussaka up in an ovenproof dish putting the lamb at the bottom, then the aubergines and top with the potatoes. Pour the béchamel sauce over everything then bake in the oven at 180C for 20-30 minutes until turning golden brown on top.
Notes
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A very satisfying and yummy dish!
I love roast aubergine! Never thought to use it in moussaka, though. I will — brilliant idea. This looks excellent — thanks.
I’ve never had Moussaka before, but this looks SO GOOD!! Yum! 🙂
mmmm! I friggin love eggplant! LOVE IT! So this is right up my alley!
i just had moussaka today! it was so tasty even if it was vegetarian (;
Great idea to roast the aubergines instead – I always find that they soak up way too much oil in a frying pan. Yum!
Thank you a million times over for figuring this out! I love moussaka but avoid making it for all the reasons you stated! Now I have no excuse!
Moussaka with roasted aubergines is a smashing idea. I’m with David, we love Moussaka, but also often veer from cooking it as frying the aubergines can be messy. Thanks for the short-cut.
comfort food make easier and more healthy–i’m all for it!!
I just had moussaka last night lol! In a restaurant but still. I’ll have to try it your way.
Caroline, must cook the aubergines like this next time! So much less laborious!
What a good idea, I can’t wait to try your version.
Love this recipe. As i find the aubergines soak up too kich oil is fryong them. Going to roast them today and see how they like that!!!
The bay leaf is mentioned in the lead up but not the recipe……
I hope you liked it Fran! The bay leaf is used when making the bechamel sauce, it’s added towards the end of the recipe instructions.