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Baked lamb casserole with a yogurt base and béchamel sauce
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 serving (medium) of Elbasan Tava with Béchamel (250 g) has 463 calories. That works out to 185 calories per 100 g. It contains 16.8 g of carbs, 34.5 g of protein, 29.5 g of fat and 0.8 g of fiber. Its 2.6 µg of B12 covers 109% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 32 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 serving (medium) · 250 g
463
KCAL / 250G
Carbs
16.8g
· 6% DV
Protein
34.5g
· 69% DV
Fat
29.5g
· 38% DV
Fiber
0.8g
· 3% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 14% · Protein 29% · Fat 57%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 463 kcal | |
| Total fat | 29.5 g | 38% |
| Saturated fat | 12.75 g | 64% |
| Trans fat | 0.4 g | |
| Sodium | 775 mg | 34% |
| Total carbohydrate | 16.8 g | 6% |
| Fiber | 0.8 g | 3% |
| Protein | 34.5 g | 69% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 250 g | 463 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 185 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 120 g | 222 kcal |
| 1 piece (medium) | 180 g | 333 kcal |
| 1 cup (chopped) | 220 g | 407 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 320 g | 592 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 400 g | 740 kcal |
Calculated from 185 calories per 100 g.
Elbasan Tava with Béchamel is a baked lamb casserole layered with a yogurt-based mixture and béchamel sauce. The yogurt gives the dish a tangy note, while the béchamel adds a smooth, creamy topping.
Elbasan Tava with Béchamel is based on Elbasan tava, a dish associated with the city of Elbasan in Albania. The béchamel-topped version adds a creamy layer to the traditional yogurt-coated baked meat.
Béchamel is a variation rather than the defining feature of classic Elbasan tava. Traditional versions are generally known for meat baked under a yogurt mixture, while Elbasan Tava with Béchamel combines that base with a French-style white sauce.
The lamb in Elbasan Tava with Béchamel may be tough if it has not had enough time to soften. Use a cut suited to slow cooking, cover it while it cooks, and make sure the meat is tender before adding the final sauce layers.
Yes, beef can replace lamb in Elbasan Tava with Béchamel. Choose a braising cut and cook it until tender before assembling the casserole, since lean or quick-cooking cuts can dry out during the final bake.
To keep the béchamel smooth on Elbasan Tava with Béchamel, whisk the milk into the butter-and-flour mixture gradually and stir continuously over gentle heat. Let the sauce thicken before spreading it over the casserole.
Yes, you can cook the lamb and prepare the yogurt layer for Elbasan Tava with Béchamel ahead of time. Assemble it with the béchamel shortly before baking, so the top stays smooth and does not sit in the refrigerator too long.
Reheat Elbasan Tava with Béchamel covered in an oven until the center is hot. Covering it helps prevent the béchamel from drying out; uncover it briefly at the end if you want to refresh the browned top.
Yes, Elbasan Tava with Béchamel can be frozen in airtight portions after it has cooled. The yogurt and béchamel layers may become slightly grainy after thawing, so defrost it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently.
Roasted seasonal vegetables or a crisp green salad pair well with Elbasan Tava with Béchamel. Their freshness balances the rich lamb and creamy sauces without competing with the casserole’s traditional flavors.
Vitamins
B12
2.63µg · 110% DV
B3
10.25mg · 64% DV
B2
0.48mg · 37% DV
B6
0.5mg · 29% DV
Minerals
Selenium
40µg · 73% DV
Phosphorus
418mg · 60% DV
Zinc
5.63mg · 51% DV
Sodium
775mg · 34% DV
Potassium ⭐
545mg · 16% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 463 calories in 1 serving (medium) (250 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Elbasan Tava with Béchamel takes its name from Elbasan, a city in Albania. The traditional baked lamb dish is made with a yoghurt-based mixture; this version is finished with béchamel and baked until the top is lightly browned. The lamb turns tender beneath a creamy topping, while the yoghurt brings a gentle tang to balance its richness.
In Albania it is served as a hearty main, often with bread or a simple side; elsewhere it fits naturally into a family meal with salad or vegetables. At 13.8 g of protein per 100 g, it is a filling meat-centred dish. For a lighter serving, use leaner lamb and a thinner layer of béchamel, and pair it with plenty of fresh greens.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 3
Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
— Not suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
12.75g
MONOUNSATURATED
11.5g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.05g
Omega 6:3 ratio 7.3:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (7.3:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.