Description
Experience a delightful twist on a classic Mediterranean favorite with this Sweet Potato Greek Moussaka. Layers of naturally sweet and creamy sweet potatoes replace traditional eggplant, complemented by spiced ground beef or lentils and a rich béchamel sauce. This dish is not only visually stunning but also a comforting meal perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 lb lean ground beef or 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (no-salt-added preferred)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- Salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange sweet potato slices in a greased baking dish as the first layer.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions in olive oil until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and ground beef or lentils; cook until browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- For the béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour for about two minutes. Gradually whisk in milk until thickened (about five minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Layer half of the meat mixture over sweet potatoes followed by another layer of sweet potato slices. Pour the béchamel sauce on top.
- Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the dish (250g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: - For added flavor, consider roasting sweet potatoes before layering them in the dish. - Feel free to substitute regular potatoes or zucchini for a different twist. - Top with crumbled feta cheese for an extra Mediterranean flair.