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Vegetarian moussaka with plant based meat

Absolutely delicious authentic Greek moussaka with plant based meat.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 412kcal

Equipment

  • medium sauce pan
  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • 8“ square baking tin
  • frying pan

Ingredients

  • 1 plant based meat package like Beyond beef
  • 3 potatoes sliced
  • 1 large eggplant sliced
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 oz parmesan cheese

for the béchamel

  • 1 cup all purpose flour plus some more in case you need to thicken the bechamel
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pint whole milk plus some more in case you need to dilute the bechamel

you will also need

  • light olive oil for frying
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • nutmeg grated
  • dry oregano I love Greek oregano
  • red chili flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the eggplant slices, drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil all over. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper. Bake in the oven for 15 min or so, until eggplant has a slight golden color. Don’t overbake! When ready, remove from oven and let them cool.
  • In a frying pan add 2-3 tbsp light olive oil. In high heat fry the potato slices for approximately 1-2 min, both sides. Remove slices and place in a paper towel to absorb extra oil.
  • Remove the light olive oil from the frying pan, wipe excess with a paper towel. Add 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. In medium heat, add the onions. season with a pinch of salt. After 2-3 min add the garlic. Stir well. Add the tomato paste. Season with another pinch of salt, fresh ground pepper and 1-2 pinch of dry oregano. Stir well. Add 1-2 pinches of chili flakes.Stir well.
  • Add the plant based meat. Break it to small pieces, just like you would do with ground beef. Mix everything well. Add the wine. Allow the wine to evaporate a little for 2-3 min. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble the eggplant and potatoes.

  • Add a layer of potatoes slices to the bottom of the baking pan. Season potato slices with salt and pepper.
  • Add a layer of eggplant. Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese al over. Repeat a layer of potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Add another layer of eggplant slices. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated parmesan.
  • Add your “meat” on top of the eggplant. Spread evenly.
  • Add a generous amount of grated parmesan. Set aside.

Make the béchamel.

  • Place a medium sauce pan on medium to low heat. Add the butter. 
  • When butter is melted add ⅓ of the flour. Stir well with a whisk. Add ⅓ of the milk. Keep whisking. Add more flour. Keep whisking. Add more milk. Repeat alternating between flour and milk.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Grate a good amount of nutmeg. Keep whisking. You might need to add a little more flour or milk to reach the correct consistency. The béchamel should be smooth and velvety but thick enough to remain distinct atop the ragù in the moussaka.
  • Turn the heat off. Add a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese. Stir well with the whisk. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Final steps

  • Pour the béchamel on top of the "meat". Spread evenly.
  • Grate a good amount of parmesan cheese on top, sprinkle some chili flakes and fresh ground pepper.
  • Bake in a 350 F oven for 45 min to 1 hour or until top is a nice golden color.
  • Let moussaka sit for 15 min before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

I used an 8“ square deep baking tin. I had to line the bottom with parchment paper and place the tin on a baking sheet to cook because it has a removable base. I used that pan because it’s deep and allows the moussaka to have a nice layer of béchamel on top.
If you are using a 10.5''×8''×3'' lasagna pan, add one more potato and 2 more yellow squash to the recipe. 
For the béchamel: Always have some more milk and flour around if you need to thicken or dilute the bechamel. You might need to add a little more or less of either flour or milk to reach the correct consistency, or if you need to make a little more to cover your pan and create a nice layer on top of the meat and veggies.
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 451mg | Potassium: 853mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 628IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 2mg