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–+ servings
macaroni casserole on a plate

Macaroni casserole

A traditional Finnish pasta bake, makaronilaatikko.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Finnish
Servings 6
Calories 525 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g macaroni, dryweight (3 cups)
  • 400 g ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2 tablespoon tomato puree
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce or 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoon mixed dried herbs (or basil and thyme)

Egg-milk mix

  • 3 eggs
  • 2,5 cups milk
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg powder

Topping

  • ½ cup grated cheese
  • 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions
 

  • Boil the macaroni. Reduce 2 minutes from the cooking time. Often 6 minutes is good. Pour out the water after cooking.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 F(175 C)
  • When the macaroni is boiling peel and chop your onion into very small cubes.
  • Fry the beef and onion on a pan until the fat and liquid have fried away and you have a dryish meat onion mix. Make sure, though, you don´t burn them.
  • Add in the soy sauce, tomato paste, and spices. Mix well.
  • Pour your macaroni into the baking dish. Mix in the beef and give it a stir.
  • Whisk together eggs, milk, and nutmeg. Pour the egg-milk over the macaroni-meat mix.
  • Top with grated cheese and oregano. Cover your dish with aluminum foil. -Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for additional 15 minutes.
  • Let the pasta bake rest a while before serving, so the egg mix sets.

Video

Notes

This stores for 3-4 days in the fridge. Delicious as reheated. Can be frozen for up to 3 months. 
Some traditional recipes also have allspice. If you like the taste then add ½ teaspoon into the meat. 
Make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free macaroni or pasta. 
Milk free version is made with plant milk. 

Nutrition

Calories: 525kcal
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