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a plate with a Bulgarian moussaka

How to Make Moussaka - Bulgarian Style Traditional Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Dani
A traditional Bulgarian dish made with minced meat, potatoes, and a creamy yoghurt-egg-cheesy topping. Gluten-free and packed with flavour.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Balkan, Bulgarian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Servings 6
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

1 Ceramic baking casserole or a glass baking dish
1 Deep pan cast-iron

Ingredients
  

For the base:

  • 600 g Pork meat (or beef) minced
  • 900 g Potatoes peeled, cubed
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 2 Carrots peeled, cubed
  • 200 ml Tomatoes blended (fresh or canned tomatoes, passata)
  • 1 tbsp Sweet red paprika
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil or rice bran oil
  • 250 ml Bone broth or warm water

For the topping:

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200°C / 390℉
  • In a deep pan or pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrot and tomatoes in oil for about 10 min on a medium heat. Add a splash of water. Stir occasionally.
  • Add meat and brown it.
  • Stir in paprika, chubritsa (savoury) or oregano and broth.
  • Simmer for about 10 mins.
  • Fold in potatoes. Transfer to a deep baking dish.
  • Bake for about 40–50 min.
  • Whisk toppings and pour over. Spread the cheese.
  • Bake 15–20 min.
  • Let rest 10–15 min.
  • Serve with salad or yoghurt.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Dice the potatoes into small pieces to ensure they cook evenly and soften more quickly.
I recommend testing doneness by testing a potato cube. Take a cube out and press it with a fork. If it is mashed easily, your moussaka is done.
Use lean meat. It is an excellent source of protein and has lower saturated fat compared to fattier cuts.
Don’t skip resting time — it improves texture.
If your yoghurt is very runny, strain it through a muslin cloth for 30 minutes before mixing with eggs. Or add 1 tbsp of rice flour for thickening.

YourDani x x

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Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 27gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 417mgPotassium: 1110mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4256IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Bulgarian Moussaka Recipe, Moussaka Recipe
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