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A plate with a piece of sweet potato moussaka.
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Sweet Potato Moussaka

This sweet & savory moussaka has layers of eggplant, sweet potatoes, a beef ragù, and a cheesy béchamel. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 782kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 sweet potatoes medium size
  • 1 large eggplant thinly sliced
  • cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup marsala wine
  • 3-4 garlic cloves minced

for the béchamel

  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour heaping tablespoons
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup whole milk

you will also need

  • 4 oz parmesan cheese grated
  • 4 oz gruyère cheese grated
  • nutmeg grated
  • dry oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • chili flakes
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
    Wash the sweet potatoes.
    In a rimmed baking sheet place the sweet potatoes. Prick small holes in the skins with a fork in each one. Bake for 45 minutes or until they are fully cooked and soft inside. Remove from oven and let them cool.
  • In a rimmed baking sheet place the eggplant slices, and brush a little olive oil all over. Season with salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of dry oregano. Sprinkle some chili flakes if you like. Bake in the oven for 15 min, until eggplant slices have a light golden color. When ready, remove from oven and let them cool.
  • Cut the sweet potatoes in half vertically. Empty the flesh in a bowl. Season with sea salt freshly ground pepper and add a tablespoon of butter. Mash lightly with a fork and set aside.
  • In a large pot 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, freshly ground pepper and 1-2 pinch of dry oregano. Stir well. Add 1-2 pinches of chili flakes and the bay leaf. Stir well.
  • Add all the ground meat. Break it to smaller pieces as it sautés. Mix everything well. Add the wine. Allow the wine to evaporate a little for 2-3 min. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble

  • Mix grated gruyère and parmesan in a bowl.
    Add a tablespoon of the ragù sauce on the bottom of your pan. Add a layer of eggplant.
    Follow with a sprinkle of cheese and a layer of sweet potato mash.
    Add a generous sprinkle of cheese.
    Repeat layers of eggplant, cheese, sweet potato mash, grated cheese.
    Add the ragù sauce and a generous sprinkle of cheese.
    Set pan aside.

make the béchamel

  • Place a sauce pan on medium to low heat. Add the butter. 
  • Add the flour while whisking continuously.
  • Add the milk in batches and whisk until the sauce thickens.
  • Remove from the heat and add salt, pepper, the nutmeg, and whisk. Save a tablespoon of grated cheese for later.
    Whisk in the béchamel the rest of the cheese.

Final step

  • Top ragù layer evenly with béchamel sauce. Sprinkle the saved tablespoon of cheese and some some chili flakes on top.
    Bake for 45 min until top is nice and golden.

Notes

Béchamel notes
  • I add the flour through a sieve. I dust it on the butter as I wisk. It helps making the béchamel without any clumps.
  • If the béchamel has some clumps in it, it is not the end of the world! Pour it over the ragu, add the cheese and chili flake and bake. The clumps will go away with the baking and you won't even notice them when enjoying this fabulous moussaka!
 
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 782kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 1051mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 22176IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 536mg | Iron: 3mg