Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole Recipe

Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole, known as lihamakaronilaatikko, is a beloved classic in Finnish homes. It is a comforting dish and is often served as a hearty family meal. Over the years, I’ve tasted many versions of this casserole, but I prefer mine made with ground beef. The key is to balance the amount of macaroni and meat. There must be enough meat to make the dish rich and satisfying.

Browning the Meat for Maximum Flavor

One crucial step is to brown the ground beef well. I like cooking it until it develops a nice crust adds deep flavor and texture to the casserole. In my recipe, I use generous amounts of black pepper and allspice along with finely chopped onions to enhance the taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, feel free to reduce the amount of seasoning to suit your taste. Once the meat is browned, it combines perfectly with tender macaroni cooked in savory beef broth, making the dish hearty and flavorful.

Serving the Meat and Macaroni Casserole

After mixing the meat and macaroni, pour a creamy egg-and-milk mixture on top. A topping of breadcrumbs and butter gives the casserole a golden, crispy crust after baking. It cooks in the oven for about an hour until bubbling and golden. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Finnish meat and macaroni casserole pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, pickled cucumbers, and a dollop of ketchup for an authentic touch.

About Finnish Cuisine

Finnish cuisine often highlights simple, fresh ingredients that reflect the country’s natural bounty. Many traditional dishes use locally grown potatoes, fresh fish, and wild berries. Lihamakaronilaatikko, while humble, shows how Finnish home cooking transforms basic pantry staples into beloved comfort food full of flavor.

We also have a very common side dish called Classic Finnish Macaroni Casserole, which is quite similar to Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole, but contains no meat. It’s often served alongside meat dishes. In our family, the meatless version is served at Christmas, Easter, and on Sunday gatherings if there is a roast beef on the table.

This traditional Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole recipe is easy to prepare. It is perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings. It’s a dish that connects generations and fills the home with comforting aromas. Whether you grew up eating it or are trying it for the first time, lihamakaronilaatikko offers a taste of Finland’s heartwarming culinary tradition.
If you enjoy traditional Finnish comfort food, you might also like my recipe for Finnish Slab Meat Pie (Levylihapiirakka), a flavorful bake that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole Recipe – Classic Lihamakaronilaatikko

Finnish Meat and Macaroni Casserole, or Lihamakaronilaatikko, is a beloved traditional comfort food made with ground beef, tender macaroni, and a creamy egg-milk custard.

This easy-to-make baked casserole features a golden breadcrumb topping and a flavorful mix of spices, perfect for family dinners.

In this version, generous amounts of black pepper and allspice add a warm, aromatic kick. If you prefer a milder dish, simply reduce the spices to your liking.

Serve it with a fresh salad, pickled cucumbers, and ketchup for an authentic Finnish meal everyone will enjoy.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Resting time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Finnish

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

• 2 liters water bring to boil
• 2 beef broth cubes or use homemade beef broth
• 1 tsp salt optional, depending on broth saltiness
• 6 dl about 2.5 cups macaroni

The ground beef mixture

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 500 g about 1 lb ground beef (or ground pork-beef mix)
• 2 medium onions finely chopped
• 1 tsp black pepper ground or freshly cracked
• 1 tsp allspice ground
• ½ tsp salt or to taste

The egg and milk mixture

• 7 dl about 3 cups milk
• 3 eggs
• ½ tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp salt

For the topping:

• 1 dl about ½ cup breadcrumbs
• Approx. 3 tbsp butter

Instructions

 

• Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy pan (cast iron works great).
• Brown the ground meat thoroughly until you get a nice crust. This adds flavor and texture.
• Add the finely chopped onions and sauté together with the meat for 3-4 minutes until softened.
• Stir in black pepper, allspice, and salt.
• Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, but flavor the boiling water with the beef broth cubes or broth. If the broth is low in salt, add 1 tsp salt to the water.
• When the macaroni is cooked, drain well and return to the pot.
• Mix the meat mixture thoroughly into the macaroni.
• Prepare the egg and milk mixture by whisking the eggs into the milk one at a time. Add salt and white pepper.
• Transfer the macaroni and meat mixture into a greased baking dish. Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over it.
• Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top. Dot with butter or, for extra richness, shave thin slices of butter over the breadcrumbs.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for about 1 hour, until the top is golden and the casserole is set.
• Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this hearty casserole with a fresh salad, pickled cucumbers (like Finnish mummonkurkut), and ketchup for a traditional Finnish meal.

Keyword Authentic Finnish food, baked macaroni and beef, easy recipe, Finnish comfort food, Finnish family recipe, Finnish macaroni casserole, Finnish meat macaroni casserole, meat and macaroni casserole