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Mary Berry Lamb Moussaka Recipe

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: british
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

  • 450 g 1 lb lamb mince
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 400 g 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 150 ml 5 fl oz red wine
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Bechamel Sauce

  • 50 g 2 oz butter
  • 50 g 2 oz plain flour
  • 600 ml 1 pint milk
  • Salt pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg

For Assembling

  • 700 g 1.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 50 g 2 oz Parmesan cheese, grated

For Garnish

  • Fresh parsley finely chopped

Instructions

Meat Sauce

  • Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
  • Add the finely chopped onion and garlic to the pan and sauté until they become soft and translucent.
  • Add the lamb mince and cook until it's browned and any excess liquid has evaporated.
  • Sprinkle the ground cinnamon over the meat and stir well.
  • Pour in the red wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes until it reduces slightly.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.

The Bechamel Sauce

  • In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
  • Stir in the plain flour to make a roux and cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Gradually add the milk while stirring continuously. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
  • Season the bechamel sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg for a subtle depth of flavor.

Assembling the Moussaka

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  • In a large ovenproof dish, layer the sliced potatoes (or aubergines) to cover the bottom.
  • Spread the meat sauce evenly over the potato layer.
  • Pour the bechamel sauce on top of the meat layer and spread it out to cover the entire surface.
  • Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top for that golden, cheesy crust.

Baking

  • Place the assembled Moussaka in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes until the top is beautifully golden and the dish is bubbling.
  • Once done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.

Garnish and Serve

  • Sprinkle finely chopped fresh parsley over the Moussaka before serving. This adds a burst of freshness to the dish.
  • Slice your Moussaka into generous portions and serve with a crisp green salad or some crusty bread for a complete Mediterranean meal.