Traditional Potato Moussaka with Meat

Potato casserole with ground meat – this dish has different recipes in every culture, but the common element is the use of potatoes and ground meat. Casserole is a classic dish suitable for a family meal or to impress guests. The advantage of this dish is that you can prepare it in advance, even a day ahead, assemble all the layers and refrigerate, then just bake it in the oven, saving time on a busy day.

I boiled the potatoes with their skins on and then cut them into rounds, which is a healthier option, but if you prefer, you can cut the potatoes raw (also into rounds) and fry them in oil in a pan. As for the ground meat, I used ground chicken, but you can also use pork, beef, or a mixture of half one type and half another. But note that chicken cooks faster, and if you use another type of meat, it will take a little longer to cook.

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  Boil the potatoes with their skins on. Let them cool and peel them. Set aside, they will be needed later.
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  Chop the onion into cubes and add it to a pot with oil.
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  Chop the carrot into cubes and add it to the onion in the pot.
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  Chop the garlic as finely as possible. Add to the pot.
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  Place the pot on the stove and simmer for 5-7 minutes over low heat.
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  Add the ground meat.
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  Add salt, ground black pepper, paprika, and thyme. Mix well.
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  Add the tomato paste. Mix well so that the paste and spices are evenly distributed. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
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  Then add water, cover, and cook for another 20-25 minutes.
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  Prepare a baking dish, line it with baking paper, and grease it with a little oil. Cut the boiled potatoes into rounds and arrange them in the dish.
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  The second layer will be the cooked ground meat with vegetables. To make it easier, divide the meat from the pot into two equal parts for the two meat layers, so that you don’t put too much in one layer and not enough in the other.
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  The third layer will again be the potatoes cut into rounds.
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  The fourth layer will be ground meat.
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  Prepare the sauce: grate the cheese, add the sour cream and egg to a bowl. Mix.
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  Pour the sauce into the baking dish over the top layer.
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  Level evenly with a spoon. Bake at 170 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
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  Cut the potato moussaka and enjoy this tasty and hearty dish.