Vegetable Moussaka
Greek Medium

Vegetable Moussaka

A hearty Mediterranean casserole with roasted eggplant, spiced bulgur, and creamy béchamel

greekmediterraneanvegetariandinnerbakedcasserole
(0 ratings)
⏱️ 1 hour 45 minutes 30 minutes prep · 1 hour 15 minutes cook
🍽️ 8 Serves
380 Calories
14g Protein
48g Carbs
18g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

Bulgur and potatoes provide a satisfyingly dense foundation for this meatless version of the Greek classic. Roasting the eggplant separately ensures it turns silky rather than greasy, while a rich, nutmeg-scented béchamel ties the layers together.


Instructions

1

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat to 425°F. Toss the eggplant with oil, salt, and pepper on two rimmed baking sheets. Roast until tender and lightly browned, about 30 minutes, switching and rotating the sheets halfway through.

2

While the eggplant roasts, heat a splash of oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and cinnamon; cook until the spices are fragrant and toasted.

3

Pour in the wine and simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the liquid has reduced by half.

💡 Reducing the wine concentrates the acidity and prevents the filling from being watery.

4

Stir in the potatoes, broth, and tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.

5

Stir in the bulgur, remove the pot from the heat, and cover. Let the mixture sit until the bulgur has absorbed the excess liquid and softened, about 15 minutes.

6

For the béchamel, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the milk in a steady stream. Simmer, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon; stir in the Parmesan and nutmeg.

💡 Whisking constantly while adding the milk slowly is the best way to avoid lumps in the sauce.

7

Spread the potato-bulgur mixture into a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Arrange the roasted eggplant over the top, then pour the béchamel over the eggplant layer.

💡 Use a spatula to spread the béchamel all the way to the edges to seal in the moisture.

8

Bake until the sauce is golden brown and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let the dish rest for at least 15 minutes before serving — this allows the layers to firm up for clean slicing.

9

Scatter the fresh basil over the top and serve warm.

💡 The basil adds a final hit of freshness that balances the rich sauce.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

🧊
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to maintain the texture of the béchamel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through to maintain the texture of the béchamel.

What substitutions can I make?
  • fresh oregano: 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • medium-grind bulgur: fine-grind bulgur
Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me →
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