Individual Moussaka Pots

Classic Greek comfort food reimagined in charming individual portions. Layers of aubergine, lamb mince, potato, and creamy béchamel sauce baked until golden and bubbling.

By Ricky Robinson Updated October 10, 2023

This recipe brings together the classic flavours of Greek moussaka in individual portions, which makes it perfect for serving as a starter at a Greek feast or as a main course with a simple Greek salad. The dish is a layered casserole that combines aubergine, lamb mince, and potatoes with a rich tomato sauce and creamy béchamel topping.

Salting the aubergine before cooking is worth the effort. Slice the aubergine, sprinkle it with salt, and leave it in a colander for about an hour. This draws out the moisture and intensifies the flavour. After an hour, you will notice most of the liquid has been released. Just squeeze out any remaining moisture with kitchen towels and you are ready to cook. You can skip this step if time is tight, but it does make a difference to the final dish.

The individual pots are a nice touch. They look charming on the table and give everyone their own perfectly portioned serving, but you could just as easily use a larger baking dish if you prefer.

Individual Moussaka Pots recipe image
Individual Moussaka Pots

The lamb mince is cooked with onions, garlic, oregano, and all spice, then simmered with chopped tomatoes and tomato puree to create a rich, flavourful base. Fresh parsley stirred in at the end adds a touch of brightness. The béchamel sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and cream, with a hint of nutmeg and parmesan for extra depth.

Layering the ingredients properly ensures each bite has the perfect balance of meat, vegetables, and creamy sauce.

Assembling the moussaka is straightforward. Start with a layer of meat sauce, then aubergine, then potato. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and parmesan, then repeat the layers before finishing with the white sauce on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, then let the pots rest for about fifteen minutes before serving. This resting time helps the layers settle and makes serving easier.

Individual Moussaka Pots

Total Time 2 hrs 20 min
Servings 4 servings
Calories 520 cal
Protein 32g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Pan
  • Whisk
  • Individual Ovenproof Pots
  • Colander
  • Measuring Jug
  • Oven

Instructions

  1. 1
    Pre heat oven to 180C.
  2. 2
    Sprinkle the aubergine slices with a tablespoon of salt and let drain in a colander for 1 hour. Rinse to remove the salt then squeeze out the excess water and dry with kitchen towels.
  3. 3
    Bring a pot of salted water to the boil, add the potato slices, and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and leave to steam dry.
  4. 4
    Heat a pan over a high heat. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the oil over the slices of aubergine and fry them for 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown on both sides and beginning to soften. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  5. 5
    Add more oil to the pan if needed and add the onion and garlic, cooking for 5-10 minutes until soft, then add the minced lamb and cook for 10 minutes until browned.
  6. 6
    Add the all spice, dried oregano, bay leaf, and sugar, then cook for a few minutes before pouring in the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and 200ml of water. Give everything a good stir and cook on a low heat for 20 minutes. Set aside and let cool for a few minutes before stirring in the fresh parsley and egg white.
  7. 7
    At this stage you can get on with the white sauce. Add the butter to a pan over a medium heat and once melted, add the flour. Cook, while stirring, for 5 minutes until the butter turns a deep golden brown.
  8. 8
    Whisk the milk and cream together in a measuring jug. Turn the heat to low and add a few tablespoons of the milk mixture and whisk. It will form a thick paste. Keep adding the milk 2-3 tablespoons at a time whisking as you go. Only add more milk once fully absorbed. Once all of the milk and cream has been added you will have a smooth, thick, sauce. Simmer gently, while slowly whisking for about 15 minutes. Grate in the nutmeg and parmesan then taste for seasoning. Allow to cool and whisk in the egg yolk.
  9. 9
    Grease the bottom of the pots (or dish), then spoon a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of aubergine, then a layer of potato. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and parmesan, the repeat with another layer of the meat sauce, aubergine, and potato. Finish by topping with white sauce. Repeat this with the other 3 pots.
  10. 10
    Put all your pots on a tray and pop into the oven, baking for 50 minutes or until the top of the moussaka pots are golden brown. If they colour too quickly, cover the pots with foil or a lid. Take out of the oven and stand for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 160C for 20 minutes until heated through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a fresh Greek salad, crusty bread, and a glass of red wine for an authentic Mediterranean experience.

Individual Moussaka Pots

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