Description
This cozy one-pot Moussaka Beef Rice Pilaf is a flavor-packed twist on Greek comfort food! Made with juicy beef mince, tender eggplant, and hearty chickpeas simmered in a garlic-red wine tomato broth, this dish channels classic Moussaka flavors without the layering. The rice soaks up all the rich, herby goodness—delicious, easy, and filling! #homemaderecipes #onepotmeals #easydinnerrecipes #healthyrecipesdinner #quickdinnerideas #beefrecipes #comfortfood
Ingredients
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- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (for beef)
- 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 300g (10 oz) eggplant, cut into 1.5 cm (3/5″) cubes
- 1/3 cup red wine (e.g., pinot noir), optional
- 1 cup uncooked basmati rice
- 400g (14 oz) can chickpeas, drained
- 400g (14 oz) can crushed tomato
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt (for broth)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- To Serve: 1 tbsp parsley, chopped (optional), extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling, Greek yogurt (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Add ½ tsp salt and oregano, cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in eggplant cubes to coat them in the tomato-beef juices.
- Pour in wine, bring to a simmer, scrape the bottom of the pot, and let the wine mostly evaporate.
- Add rice and stir to coat in flavor. Add chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, broth, remaining salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer across the surface.
- Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook undisturbed for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and rest (lid on) for 10 minutes to finish steaming.
- Fluff the rice, divide into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle parsley, and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use lamb instead of beef.
- If you don’t have red wine, the dish will still taste great without it.
- Consider adding some crumbled feta or olives on top for extra Mediterranean flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg