Layers of roasted eggplant, a “meaty” and tomatoey lentil filling, and vegan bechamel sauce come together to create this incredible Vegan Moussaka. It’s the ultimate comfort food to make for dinner, plus it can be made both gluten and nut free!
Bring a taste of the Mediterranean right into your home with this hearty and delicious Vegan Moussaka!
This comforting meal is filled with layers of eggplant, lentils, vegan ground beef, and tomatoes before it’s finished with creamy bechamel sauce on top. It’s a classic Greek dish you can make ahead of time, enjoy for a hearty weeknight dinner, or freeze for later.
My Greek vegetarian moussaka recipe has 4 delicious layers:
- Roasted eggplant
- A tomatoey and “meaty” filling
- More eggplant
- And a creamy vegan bechamel sauce on top!
This will easily become your family’s new favorite dinner by the time they’re finished with the first bite. Make it a meal and serve each slice next to some Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Baked Potato Wedges, and a light Kale Salad.
What is moussaka?
Moussaka is a Greek recipe that is similar to a lasagna or shepherd’s pie. It’s a layered casserole traditionally made with eggplant or potatoes, ground meat, and bechamel sauce on top.
My vegan eggplant moussaka is far from the traditional recipe but still has an amazing blend of flavors and doesn’t skip out on any of the layers. Two layers of sliced and roasted eggplant are filled with a meaty mix of vegan ground beef, lentils, tomatoes, and spices before being topped with a cashew cream bechamel sauce.
How to make vegetarian moussaka
Begin by slicing the eggplant, place them in a large colander, and sprinkle with salt. This will make the eggplant “sweat” and remove its natural bitter flavor. Afterward, pat the slices dry before baking them on a prepared baking sheet until lightly browned and softened.
While they bake, make the vegan bechamel by combining the ingredients in a blender and blending until smooth.
Make the “meat” filling in a large skillet on the stove.
Now that all three elements are prepared, it’s time to assemble. Line the bottom of a baking dish with a layer of eggplant. Pour on the “meat” filling and add another layer of eggplant on top. Finish by pouring the bechamel sauce on top and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
Bake the moussaka uncovered until it’s golden brown on top and enjoy!
Gluten free option
All you have to do to make this moussaka gluten free is to remove the breadcrumb topping or replace them with gluten free breadcrumbs.
Nut free option
Nut allergy or aversion? No problem! Just replace the nuts in the vegan bechamel with pine nuts (not a nut free option, use only if you are not allergic to pine nuts) or sunflower seeds.
Recipe tips and variations
- Let it rest. Leave the moussaka to rest for 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven to help the texture solidify slightly. It will be too loose and liquidy if you slice into it right away.
- Can’t find Impossible Meat? Sub in cooked lentils or another vegan ground beef substitute like Beyond or Gardein brand. If using all lentils, add an extra 2 or 3 cups of cooked lentils in place of the meat.
- Instead of bechamel, you could top the moussaka with mashed potatoes, just like a lentil shepherd’s pie.
Storing, freezing, and reheating
This is a great option for meal prep. Put it all together on Sunday and enjoy the slices for lunch all week long!
The leftovers will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator. Simply reheat each serving in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
It can also be frozen! Let the cooked moussaka cool completely before covering with plastic or foil and freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking until hot.
Want more comforting vegan meals?
Vegan Moussaka
Ingredients
Eggplant
- 2 medium eggplants
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Tomato "Meat" Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces impossible ground "meat" or other substitute, see Notes
- 3 cups cooked lentils (I used canned) or more impossible meat
- 1/2 cup red wine may omit if needed
- 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Vegan Bechamel
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated if possible
Topping
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
For the Eggplant
- Slice the eggplant lengthwise about 1/3 inch thick. Place the slices in a large colander overlapping somewhat, and sprinkle with salt. Move them around to sprinkle all the eggplant with salt, and leave it to sweat for 30 minutes. This will remove any bitterness.
- While it sweats, make the "meat" filling and vegan bechamel (see instructions below.)
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Pat the eggplant dry with a clean dish towel, very well so you also remove a lot of the salt. Transfer the eggplant slices to the prepared pans, and brush with olive oil on both sides. You can use olive oil spray if that's easier.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned and softened. Remove from the oven and set aside. Lower heat to 350 degrees F.
For the "Meat" Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the impossible meat (or lentils) and cook until it turns brown, breaking it up with a spatula as you cook it. This will take 5-8 minutes.
- Add the red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, oregano, cinnamon and salt, to taste. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the Bechamel
- Add the cashews to a small pot and cover with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let soak for 15 minutes.
- Drain the cashews, then add them to a high speed blender, along with the 1 cup of fresh water and all the other bechamel ingredients. Blend on high until very smooth and creamy.
Assemble and Bake
- In a baking dish (I used my 10 inch cast iron pan, you can use an 8×8 inch casserole dish as well) place half of the eggplant on the bottom.
- Top with all of the filling.
- Place the rest of the eggplant on top of the filling, then pour the bechamel sauce on top. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes until golden brown on top. Let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Leftovers will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator, simply reheat in the microwave or oven until warm.
- It can be frozen, simply cool it completely, then cover and wrap well before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking until hot.
- For the meat: You can substitute more cooked lentils for the impossible meat if desired, or any other vegan ground beef substitute like Beyond or Gardein brand. If using all lentils, add an extra 2-3 cups cooked lentils in place of the meat.
- Cashew alternative: In place of the cashews, use pine nuts or sunflower seeds.
- Gluten free: Omit the breadcrumbs, or use gluten free breadcrumbs.
This is a great recipe. Over dinner this evening I was wondering why I don’t make this dish more option. DH doesn’t often lick the plate after savory dishes but he did today! Thank you Nora for another wonderful recipe.
You are welcome! I am thrilled the moussaka was a hit! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review and feedback! Happy cooking!
Thank you for another terrific recipe, Nora. I made this last night, following the recipe. Wow, what a great taste! The whole family loved it. I’m glad the default recipe makes for a large dish; leftovers are highly anticipated 🙂
Your bechemel sauce is worthy of its own recipe, it’s so good. And easy. And full of flavor. Oh yeah, did I say that it’s good???
Hi Steve! I love your encouraging feedback! Thanks for sharing your stellar review! I’m thrilled that the moussaka was a hit! Wishing you happy cooking!
One more question. Is it 3 cups of dry green lentils or 3 cups of cooked green lentils? Thank you!
It is 3 cups cooked lentils (I used canned). Enjoy!
Hi Nora. Do you recommend brown lentils or red lentils.
Either is fine. The consistency will be mushier with red lentils.
This is an excellent recipe! I made it tonight for 1 vegan and 2 vegetarians they all said how good it was! Thankyou Nora 😀
You are welcome, Shayne! How awesome that you tried the recipe, and that everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing your great feedback!
This meal was amazing. Nora, your dishes are SO good! This is another 5 star meal. I made it exactly as written. The Bechamel sauce is a terrific recipe. I plan to use it on other recipes!
Thank you so much, Julie! 🙂
Amazing! Made it for dinner; had some plant based meat but not enough so also added some veggie meatballs and broke them up in the sauce with the lentils. Ended up with a lot of extra filling so I made two small casserole dishes one as above and the other with mashed potatoes and the béchamel. Both were delicious! Great recipe thank you !
Hi Vic. You are welcome! I’m really glad that you loved the moussaka! Thank you for your wonderful feedback and ideas! Your meals sound delicious!
I am Greek and have so missed the days of having non-vegan Mousakka made by my mom and Yiayia (grandmother). This went above and beyond in filling that void! This recipe was so fun to make for me and is SO delicious. I used the half Gardein meat crumbles and half lentils and it’s amazing. Thank you Nora for this incredible recipe and allowing me to feel connected to my heritage again!
P.S. I might just be making the Bechamel sauce on its own for other things… it’s THAT good.
Hi Olivia. Thank you or sharing your rich and wonderful feedback! It really means a lot to me! I’m thrilled you love the moussaka!
Instead of the impossible meat I subbed 2 cups of cooked quinoa and one can of lentils. It made a lovely texture and with the addition of a little vegan worstershire and a teaspoon of roasted vegetable better than boullion the flavor was excellent.
I made a bunch of these when I was pregnant and I was SO thrilled to keep pulling them out of the freezer when I had a newborn. It’s a perfect recipe! All your recipes are just incredible and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate vegan cooks like you that make it so easy for people to eat plant-based meals. Keep up the brilliant work Nora!
Thank you for your encouraging and wonderful words. They mean a lot to me! I am so thrilled that you are loving my recipes! I love creating them! I also love moussaka, and I’m glad you do as well! I appreciate you taking your time to share your beautiful review and comments! Happy cooking!
Absolutely delicious! Such flavor. Brilliant recipe that everyone would love. Will definitely make again. Thank you, Nora. ? ?
Hi Cindy! I’m glad you love the moussaka! I agree that the flavor of this recipe is so wonderful on the palate! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! Happy cooking!
This is amazing, made everything exactly as stated. 10/10
I am thrilled you loved the moussaka! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Husband said this is one of the tastiest things I’ve ever cooked – I agree! The plant based “meat” (I used Beyond Meat) was a really nice touch- I’m sure lentils alone would have been nice too, but the crumbles gave it such a satisfying meaty texture. The nutmeg in the topping was a great addition too!
I’m glad you guys loved this recipe! It is truly one of my favorites! Thanks for taking your time to share your great review!
OMG this was so good! I have never even heard of moussaka. What a treat!
My entire family loved this meal! This might be my favorite Nora cooks yet (and I’ve tried almost all). Delicious!!!!
I’m glad it was a hit with the family! This is one of my favorites as well! Thanks for sharing your wonderful comments!
Hi Nora, could we use red lentils or red kidney beans (between the two which would be a better option?)
Thanks!
Sure! Either is fine, just depends on if you want it to be mushier with red lentils, or chunkier with beans.
Another amazing recipe Nora! I have never had moussaka before so I didn’t know how it was all going to blend together but it worked really well! Just for fun I added a head of roasted garlic into the bechamel and a dash of smoked paprika into the lentil/meat mix and I really liked it.
Thank you for taking your time to share your wonderful review! Your roasted garlic addition sounds delicious! I’m glad you loved the way your moussaka turned out! Thank you for using my recipes, and happy cooking!
As usual, Nora comes through for us! This was out of the world delicous! I missed Moussaka since becoming vegan and this was wonderful and wonderful leftover as well.
I’m really thrilled you loved the Moussaka! I was so excited about this recipe! Thanks a lot for taking your time to share your kind review! It means a lot! Thank you for using my recipes!
This looks great, can’t wait to make it for myself! What colour lentils do you use?
Wow, that was delicious! Thank you for the recipe! I found it quite difficult to imagine how it was all going to taste so was a little nervous, but I trusted you, and really turned out so well. Definitely one to make again. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your review! I’m glad you loved the moussaka! It’s great you tried it, and I’m glad will be making it again!
This looks so tasty! Is salting the eggplant really needed? I thought bitterness had been bred out of modern eggplant.
I’m not sure, you could try skipping it but I feel like sometimes the eggplant I buy is bitter if I skip this step.
Made this tonight- oh my gosh so delicious. Followed the recipe exactly.
So glad it turned out delicious for you, Kristine! Thank you for sharing!
Do you freeze it before baking it? Or bake, freeze, reheat?
I would bake it, cool then freeze and reheat the leftovers.