A good for you twist to the traditional moussaka recipe. Less calories and much less carbs, which makes it the perfect candidate for your rotation. Easy and requires no special cooking skills, 30 minutes and dinner is ready.
Middle Eastern Moussaka
Egyptian Mousakaa primarily consists of layers of deep-fried eggplant rings with flavored minced meat. Many people like adding fried potato to the eggplant as well, topping it with golden bechamel sauce is not Egyptian but highly appreciated. If you like eggplants you'll truly love this dish.
I would like to thank all of you for your support and deep love that you've surrounded me with during this hard time of grief. You are all such wonderful friends and a true blessing. My good friend Henna encouraged me to keep doing what my dad taught me, and you know what? he loved to cook so much and oh boy, he was just the perfect taster, who can easily detect what is missing in a recipe. I love you, my mentor, and for sure will miss your beautiful smile forever.
My dad was obsessed with eggplants, especially the Egyptian Moussaka, he could not stand a week without it, but he had developed a weak heart as he got older, so I was doing my homework trying to reach a healthier recipe for his beloved dish.
Eggplant boats
In this easy moussaka recipe I skipped frying the eggplants, making it in a boat like shape filled it with ground meat which was previously browned with onions. Skipped bechamel sauce and potato and was satisfied with only tomato sauce.
This is like cheesy eggplant pizza so, I've used low-fat mozzarella cheese to top the eggplant boats but you can use any of your favorite cheese or skip this step altogether. If you love eggplant parmesan, you can add some parmesan cheese on top as well.
Tips and tricks
- Try to use smaller eggplants. Japanese and Italian varieties work the best with this recipe.
- Use any sort of ground meat you like, beef, lamb, turkey or a combination.
- Do not peel eggplants as their skin is so nutritious and it actually holds the eggplant together.
- Do not throw away the scooped pulp, either mix it with the ground meat mixture and stuff back into the boats or broil them to make some baba Ganoush.
- Reheat any leftovers in the microwave or cover and reheat in the oven until bubbly.
Related Recipes
- Zucchini boats with ground beef is a delicious, hearty, and healthy dinner that can be served over rice or with bread. It's a wonderful low-carb dish the whole family will love!
If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.
Light Moussaka recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil.
- 1 medium onion diced.
- 1 pound ground beef. Note1
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- ½ teaspoon allspice.
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste.
- Salt to taste.
- 2 or more eggplants.
- 2 cups (16oz) tomato sauce. Note2
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese- I used low fat mozzarella.
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add oil then saute onion for a couple of minutes.
- Add the ground beef breaking it apart to brown.
- Add spices, salt, tomato paste and half the tomato sauce.
- Mix everything well and leave it to cook for 5 minutes.
- While the meat is cooking, cut each eggplant lengthwise in half.
- Scoop the flesh with a spoon, core the eggplant halves to the desired thickness preferably ½ inch thickness.
- Sprinkle each eggplant half with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the eggplants with the meat mixture and put in your oven dish.
- Pour the remaining tomato sauce over your stuffed eggplants.
- Put in a 350F preheated oven for 15 minutes or until almost done.
- Take it out and sprinkle with the cheese, stick it again in the oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Video
Notes
Note2: You can also make this with store bought or homemade marinara sauce. Serve with pita bread, rice or with a side of salad. Nutrition values are calculated using about 1 teaspoon of pink salt.
Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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Sonya graske
SO VERY SADDENED BY YOUR FATHER HAVING TO LEAVE YOU. MY PRAYERS FOR COMFORT. FROM ASHEVILLE, NORTHCAROLINA. ♡
Amira
Thanks Sonys for your sweet comment.
Kathy
Glad to see you back, Amira! Your father would be very proud of your success in making a healthy version of musakaa! I am sure he is smiling down on you! So very sorry for your loss! My mom passed several years ago, and I still think of her just about everyday!
I love musakaa and want to give your version a try!
Easyfoodsmith
Amira, it is so good to see you back and with such a lovely homage to the memories of your father. You are indeed a strong person. Stay blessed 🙂
Marie
Your friend was right to encourage you in this way. It feels good to read you again Amira. I am sure your father is now in peace, rejoicing in Paradise. And whatever happens, he will always live in your heart and will protect you from above.
This recipe looks delicious. Can't wait to try it.
Love from France.
Lail | With A Spin
Absolutely love musakaa but ever made it this way. I always slice the eggplant. I'll give this a try.
On a separate note, I am glad that you are coping well and trying to get back to normal. May Allah make this time easier on you and your family. May Allah reunite you all in happiness in the highest ranks of Jannah!
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
Amira, I am so glad you are back. When my sister died 18 months ago, I dedicated my post (Mini Cheese Cakes) to her. What an interesting presentation of the Moussaka- I have never seen it served in a 'boat' before!
Henna
Oh Amira, I am so happy to see you back! May Allah shower his Blessing and Mercy on your father! May Allah make this time easier on you and your family. May Allah reunite you all in happiness in the highest ranks of Jannah!
InshAllah with time it will be easier my dear sister. Keep your head up 🙂
didi
Good to see you back dear. This is a wonderful and def. healthier alternative to the traditional mousakaa. May your father be in Jannah now.
Juliana
Hi Amira, so good to see you back...and happy that your dad has inspired you...I love the healthier version of musakaa...thanks for sharing the recipe.
Hope you are having a good week dear 🙂
Hotly Spiced
I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your family. That's an enormous loss. I love how he has inspired you with your cooking. This healthy musakaa looks really good and would be very popular in my family xx
John@Kitchen Riffs
Glad to see you back! And what a perfect post -- such a nice tribute to your father. Great, flavor, and much healthier than the traditional recipe. And we all need that. Thanks so much.
Joanne T Ferguson
G'day! Your dad is around you each and every day with his smiling face and how oh so proud of you he is Amira!
A beautiful musakka and wish I would try some today!
Cheers! Joanne
Amira
Thanks Joanne, I hope he is.
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz
Glad to see you back since your loss. Again, my condolences. I am a big fan of musakaa and I will definitely give this healthier version a try.
Amira
Thanks Eve for your sweet words I missed all of you.