Makaronilaatikko (Finnish Macaroni and Beef Casserole)
In short: Macaroni and browned ground beef with onion, baked in an egg and milk custard until set and golden. A favorite Finnish home dinner. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Makaronilaatikko is the casserole most Finns grew up on. Macaroni is stirred with browned beef and onion, covered with a custard of milk and eggs and baked until the top is golden and the inside sets like a savory pudding. Nothing about it is fancy, and that is why it is on the school lunch menu and in family freezers. Serve with ketchup or lingonberry jam.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and butter a 2 liter (2 quart) baking dish, about 23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 in).
- Boil the macaroni in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package says, since it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain.
- Melt the 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet and cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the beef, salt and pepper and cook for 8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned.
- Stir the beef mixture into the macaroni and spread everything in the dish.
- Whisk the eggs with the milk, salt and pepper and pour the custard over the macaroni. Scatter the breadcrumbs on top and dot with butter.
- Bake for 40 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden. Rest for 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve with ketchup or lingonberry jam.
Tips
- Undercook the pasta slightly. It keeps absorbing custard in the oven, and fully cooked pasta turns mushy.
- For a ham version, replace the beef with 300 g (10.5 oz) diced cooked ham and skip the extra salt in the meat.
Questions and answers
Can I make makaronilaatikko ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge and bake it straight from the fridge, adding 10 minutes.
Can I freeze makaronilaatikko?
Yes. Freeze cooked, cooled squares for up to 3 months. Reheat from thawed in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 15 minutes, or in the microwave.
What do Finns eat with macaroni casserole?
Ketchup is common, along with lingonberry jam and pickled cucumbers. A plain green salad makes it a fuller meal.
How long does it take to make Makaronilaatikko (Finnish Macaroni and Beef Casserole)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Makaronilaatikko (Finnish Macaroni and Beef Casserole)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
