Dairy-Free Traditional Moussaka

Enjoy an irresistible twist on a Mediterranean classic with this Dairy-Free Traditional Moussaka, a comforting casserole layered with tender eggplant, spiced meat sauce, and a creamy, plant-based béchamel. This recipe swaps out dairy for a velvety almond milk béchamel enriched with nutritional yeast, delivering a luscious topping without compromising on flavor. Featuring aromatic spices like cinnamon and allspice, this dish brings the rich, hearty essence of traditional Greek cuisine to your table. Whether you choose ground lamb or beef, this dairy-free delight is perfect for elevated weeknight dinners or special occasions. Pair with a crisp green salad and enjoy this wholesome, crowd-pleasing meal that's both comforting and dairy-free.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 large Eggplants
• 6 tablespoons Olive oil
• 500 grams Ground lamb or beef
• 1 large Onion
• 3 medium Garlic cloves
• 400 grams Canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 500 milliliters Unsweetened almond milk
• 4 tablespoons All-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend, if needed)
• 3 tablespoons Vegan butter or olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons Nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 3 large Potatoes

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1cm (1/3 inch) thick slices. Sprinkle both sides of each slice with a pinch of salt and let them rest on paper towels for 20 minutes to draw out moisture.

Step 3

Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and slice them into 1cm (1/3 inch) thick rounds. Boil the potato slices in salted water for 5-7 minutes until just tender but not fully cooked. Drain and set aside.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pat the eggplant slices dry with paper towels and fry in batches, adding more oil as needed, until golden brown on both sides. Set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 6

Add the ground lamb or beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 7

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 8

To make the dairy-free béchamel sauce, heat 3 tablespoons of vegan butter or olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until slightly golden.

Step 9

Gradually whisk in the unsweetened almond milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 10

Add the nutmeg, nutritional yeast, and a pinch of salt to the béchamel sauce. Stir and set aside.

Step 11

Assemble the moussaka in a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. Start with a layer of potato slices, followed by a layer of eggplant, and then a layer of the meat mixture. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of eggplant on top.

Step 12

Pour the béchamel sauce evenly over the top layer. Use a spatula to spread it out so it fully covers the surface.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.

Step 14

Allow the moussaka to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4123.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4061.9

Total Fat 240.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.8g
Cholesterol 408mg	0%
Sodium 5159.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 352.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 80.4g	0%
Total Sugars 76.5g
Protein 145.4g	0%

Vitamin D 185.6IU	0%
Calcium 1476.2mg	0%
Iron 30.5mg	0%
Potassium 11265.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.1%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 33.9%