Bell Pepper and Eggplant Fusion, The Lebanese Moussaka

A comforting dish featuring roasted eggplants, bell peppers, chickpeas and tomato-garlic sauce. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and perfect as a main or part of a mezze spread. The Moussaka is a staple dish in Mediterranean countries, it can be prepared with or without meat, up to your preferences. The Egyptian recipe is as savory as the Lebanese one. It consists of layers of tender roasted eggplant and saucy, spiced ground beef with onions, bell peppers, and garlic. With no béchamel sauce, it’s a naturally gluten-free dish that comes together quickly for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 2 medium eggplants
• 2–3 long green peppers (thin-fleshed variety if possible) or 2 medium bell peppers
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can chopped tomatoes or 400-500 g fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1-2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp sumac or ½ tsp each cinnamon + paprika + cumin for spice depth
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
• Olive oil for roasting & sautéing

Preparation

1. Roast the eggplants

1. Preheat your oven to 200 °C (about 390 °F).
2. Wash the eggplants and pierce their skins a few times with a fork. Cut into large chunks (about 2-3 cm pieces) or slices as you prefer.
3. Toss with a little olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast for 30–40 minutes, until the eggplants are soft and golden.
4. When done, remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

2. Prepare the bell peppers

1. While the eggplants are roasting, prepare the green peppers: wash, de-seed by cutting off the stem end and removing membranes/seeds. If using long peppers, cut in half lengthwise.
2. Place them on a tray, drizzle with a little olive oil, sprinkle salt, and roast under the grill (or at 200 °C) for 20–30 minutes, until slightly browned and tender.

3. Make the tomato-chickpea sauce

1. In a large deep pan or wok, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, stir to combine. Pour in about ½ cup water.
3. Season with salt, pepper, sumac to taste. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, uncovered or partially covered, until slightly thickened.
4. Add the chickpeas, stir them in, and simmer for another 10 minutes so they soak up flavour.

4. Combine everything

1. Add the peeled roasted eggplant chunks to the sauce. Stir carefully so the eggplant integrates without breaking completely.
2. Add the roasted peppers, cut into large pieces if halved earlier, into the pan for the last 5–10 minutes.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning. If the sauce seems too dry, add a little more water.

5. Serve

• Spoon the moussaka into a serving dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
• This dish is excellent warm, room temperature, or even chilled, making it very versatile for buffet-style or mezze.
• Serve with warm pita bread, or as a main alongside steamed rice, or part of a wider spread of Mediterranean dishes.

Why This Recipe Works

By roasting the aubergine and pepper, you get deep flavour and great texture without excessive oil. The tomato-garlic sauce builds the core taste of the dish, chickpeas add hearty texture and plant-based protein, bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, and the optional spices ensure it retains that authentic Lebanese character. This Lebanese moussaka with bell pepper uses simple, wholesome ingredients and a straightforward cooking method that allows flexibility—serve it as a main or side, warm or cold. It sits beautifully on a mezze table alongside hummus and flatbread, or stands alone as a satisfying vegetarian main for weeknight meals or meal prep.

Bell pepper is a staple in Oriental and Mediterranean cuisine, valued for its versatility—it can take centre stage in a dish or be added for a burst of flavour, colour, and natural sweetness.

Our Pepper Fun WordPress blog shares a vibrant collection of pepper-focused recipes, created by contributors from different parts of the world. From Mediterranean classics to Middle Eastern favourites and global comfort food, the blog celebrates bold flavours, diverse cuisines, and creative ways to cook with bell peppers and chilli peppers.