Papoutsakia (Greek Stuffed Eggplant "Little Shoes")
Eggplant halves roasted until tender, filled with a cinnamon-spiced beef and tomato sauce and topped with a golden béchamel. Like a single-serving moussaka, made a little lighter.
Diet swaps
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend (or cornstarch to thicken).
- Dairy-free: Use unsweetened almond or oat milk. Use olive oil or dairy-free butter instead of butter. Leave off the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese.
Check labels on packaged foods if you have an allergy or celiac disease.
Ingredients
- 2 large Eggplants, halved lengthwise
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3/4 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp each Ground cinnamon and allspice
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1/2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Egg yolk
- 1/3 cup Grated kefalotyri or Parmesan
Directions
- Heat the oven to 425°F. Score the eggplant flesh in a crisscross, brush with 1 tbsp oil and roast cut side down for 25 minutes until soft. Scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch shell, and chop it.
- Brown the beef and onion in the remaining oil. Add the garlic, chopped eggplant, tomatoes, tomato paste and spices and simmer 15 minutes until thick. Stir in the parsley.
- For the béchamel, melt the butter, whisk in the flour, then the milk, and simmer until thick. Off the heat, whisk in the egg yolk and half the cheese.
- Lower the oven to 375°F. Fill the eggplant shells with the meat sauce, spoon the béchamel on top, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake 25 minutes until golden.
Calorie breakdown
Beef 128 · olive oil 60 · eggplant 55 · cheese 37 · milk 31 · tomatoes 23 · egg yolk 14 · butter 13 · onion 11 · flour 11 · tomato paste 4 · garlic 2 · herbs + spices 1
💡 Lighter tip: Make it vegetarian with 1 1/2 cups cooked lentils in place of the beef.
Helpful for this recipe
9x13 ceramic baking dishShop on Amazon →Small saucepan with whiskShop on Amazon →How to choose real extra virgin olive oilRead the guide →Our guide to safe, non-toxic cookwareSee picks →