Description
A hearty one-pot Moussaka-inspired beef rice pilaf featuring tender eggplant, chickpeas, and rice simmered in a rich tomato broth. This Mediterranean comfort dish delivers all the flavor of classic Moussaka in a simple, weeknight-friendly form.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 onion, diced
500g (1 lb) ground beef (or lamb)
1/2 tsp kosher salt (for the beef)
1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp tomato paste
300g (10 oz) eggplant, cut into 1.5cm (3/5″) cubes
1 cup basmati rice, uncooked
400g (14 oz) can chickpeas, drained
400g (14 oz) can crushed tomato
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock or broth
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt (for broth)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and oregano, then cook for another minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
- Add eggplant and toss to coat in the beef mixture. Let simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Add rice, stirring to coat with the aromatic base. Then add chickpeas, crushed tomato, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Once bubbling evenly, cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid or stirring.
- Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking and absorb the remaining liquid.
- Fluff the rice gently before serving. Drizzle with olive oil, garnish with parsley, and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt if desired.
Notes
Substitute ground lamb for beef for a more traditional Moussaka flavor.
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.
To make it vegetarian, omit beef and add more chickpeas or lentils.
Don’t stir the rice while cooking — this keeps it fluffy, not mushy.
Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
