Papoutsakia
Greek Stuffed Eggplant
Papoutsakia, meaning 'little shoes' in Greek, are a comforting and classic dish of tender eggplant halves filled with a savory spiced ground meat and tomato mixture, then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden. A true taste of Greek home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 Small to medium eggplants(Look for eggplants that are firm and have smooth, shiny skin. About 6-8 inches long is ideal.)
- 400 g Ground beef(80/20 or 85/15 lean to fat ratio is recommended for flavor.)
- 1 medium Onion(Finely chopped.)
- 3 cloves Garlic(Minced.)
- 200 ml Crushed tomatoes(Or tomato passata.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Allspice(Optional, but adds authentic flavor.)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley(Chopped.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil(For sautéing.)
- 50 g Butter(For béchamel. Unsalted is preferred.)
- 50 g All-purpose flour(For béchamel.)
- 500 ml Milk(Whole milk is best for a rich béchamel. Warm it slightly.)
- 1 Egg yolk(For béchamel, to enrich and help brown.)
- pinch Nutmeg(Freshly grated is ideal for béchamel.)
- 50 g Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese(Grated, for topping. Kefalotyri is a traditional Greek hard cheese.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the eggplants: Wash the eggplants and trim off the stems. Slice each eggplant in half lengthwise. Using a sharp knife, score the flesh in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin. Lightly scoop out some of the flesh from the center of each half to create a cavity, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Reserve the scooped-out eggplant flesh for another use if desired (e.g., in a ratatouille or dip). Brush the cut surfaces of the eggplant halves with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, or until they begin to soften and lightly brown. Remove from oven and set aside.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Make the meat filling: While the eggplants are baking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, allspice (if using), chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. The sauce should be thick.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 3
Prepare the béchamel sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. Do not let it brown. Gradually whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with a pinch of nutmeg. Temper the egg yolk by whisking a ladleful of the hot béchamel sauce into it, then pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the béchamel. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The béchamel should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Assemble and bake: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Arrange the pre-baked eggplant halves in a baking dish. Spoon the meat filling generously into each eggplant cavity. Pour or ladle the béchamel sauce evenly over the meat filling, ensuring it covers the surface. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the béchamel. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the béchamel is golden brown and bubbly, and the eggplants are tender when pierced with a fork.
⏱️ 40 minutes - 5
Rest and serve: Let the Papoutsakia rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauces to set slightly. Serve hot.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The name 'Papoutsakia' translates to 'little shoes' because the shape of the stuffed eggplant halves resembles them.
- ✓This dish is often compared to Moussaka, but served in individual eggplant shells instead of layers.
- ✓A pinch of cinnamon and allspice in the meat filling is key to authentic Greek flavor.
- ✓For a richer béchamel, use whole milk and consider adding a touch of grated cheese directly into the sauce.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Vegetarian: Replace the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms, lentils, or a mix of vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian filling.
- Spicier: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper to the meat sauce.
- Extra Cheesy: Increase the amount of cheese used for topping, or mix some into the béchamel.
- Herbaceous: Add other fresh herbs like mint or oregano to the meat filling.