Description
A comforting layered dish of tender eggplant, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel, perfect for fall evenings.
Ingredients
- 3 medium eggplants, about 2½ lbs, sliced lengthwise into ½-inch slices
- Olive oil for brushing and frying (about 4 tbsp)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Kefalotyri cheese
- Extra grated cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Salt the eggplant slices lightly and let them sit 20 minutes to draw out bitterness, then pat dry. Brush with olive oil and roast on a sheet pan until soft and golden, about 20–25 minutes. Alternatively, lightly pan-fry slices until browned.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in red wine and reduce slightly, then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until thickened. Stir in parsley at the end.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux and cook for 1–2 minutes. Gradually whisk in warmed milk, stirring until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in beaten eggs and the grated cheese. Season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg if you like.
- Lower oven to 350°F (175°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the eggplant slices, then spread all the meat sauce, top with the remaining eggplant, and pour the béchamel evenly over the top. Sprinkle extra grated cheese and bake until the top is golden and bubbling, about 45–50 minutes. Let rest 15–20 minutes before slicing so layers set.
Notes
Let the dish rest before serving for clean slices. Rotate the baking dish halfway through for even browning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek