Turkish Eggplant and Ground Beef Casserole

Name: Turkish Eggplant and Ground Beef Casserole
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 5 eggplants; 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying; 1 onion; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 green pepper, Hungarian, or sweet green pepper; 1 1/4 pounds (600 grams) lean ground beef; 4 large tomatoes, divided; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, or margarine; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 cups milk; 1 cup cheese, such as grated Turkish kaşar, or other mild, yellow cheese; Sweet red pepper strips, or slices, and/or green pepper, for garnish

A savory Turkish casserole features layers of tender eggplant, seasoned ground beef, and rich tomato sauce, often topped with a white sauce and cheese.

⭐ 4.1 (45 reviews) Prep: 90 minCook: 30 minTotal: 120 minYields: 8 servings

Category Tags:

Entree Dinner

Cuisine Tags:

Middle Eastern

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 360F/180C.
Stripe-peel all eggplants, slice 1/4-inch thick, and soak in salty water for 30 minutes.
Slice green pepper into thin rings. Grate one tomato. Finely chop onion and fry in 1 tablespoon olive oil until tender.
Add green pepper and continue frying until soft. Brown ground beef, then add grated tomato, tomato paste, and spices. Simmer covered for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
Grate the remaining 3 tomatoes. Combine with tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, and sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat.
Remove eggplant slices from water and dry. Fry until tender and golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
Line a large baking tray with a single layer of fried eggplant. Spread tomato sauce over the eggplant, then top with the meat mixture.
Melt butter in a large pan, stir in flour. Whisk in milk and seasonings until smooth and thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
Pour the hot white sauce over the meat layer, then sprinkle with grated cheese.
Bake until the top turns golden brown.
Remove from oven and rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Info (per serving)

Calories: 653 kcal

Carbohydrate: 49 g

Cholesterol: 93 mg

Fiber: 12 g

Protein: 31 g

Saturated Fat: 13 g

Sodium: 673 mg

Sugar: 21 g

Fat: 40 g

Unsaturated Fat: 0 g