Finnish Cabbage and Beef Casserole (Lihakaalilaatikko)

Round black ceramic oven dish with Finnish cabbage casserole, a portion removed to reveal the juicy cabbage and meat filling beneath a golden crust.

Finnish Cabbage and Beef Casserole (Lihakaalilaatikko)

This Finnish Cabbage and Beef Casserole, known locally as lihakaalilaatikko, is a comforting, oven-baked dish made with sautéed cabbage, seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and a hint of syrup for sweetness. Topped with breadcrumbs and thin slices of butter, it bakes to golden perfection — a true Finnish classic perfect for cozy family dinners.

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Prep Time 45

Cook Time 1

Resting time 10

Total Time 1 55

Course Main Course

Cuisine Finnish

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

The Cabbage

1.5 kg cabbage chopped
1 large onion chopped
2 tbsp butter
1 dl beef broth for simmering the onion and cabbage

The Rice

2,5 dl short-grain rice like for porrige
5 dl beef broth for cooking the rice

The ground beef

750 g ground beef well browned
salt to taste
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp black pepper or to taste

Seasoning and mixing

1 large egg
1-2 tsp allspice to taste
2-3 tsp marjoram dried
3 tbsp syrup
50 g butter thinly sliced (for topping, e.g., with a cheese slicer)
3-4 tbsp breadcrumbs for topping, amount depends on the size of your oven dish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).

Cabbage:

Chop the cabbage and onion.
In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cabbage and sauté for 10–15 minutes until softened.
Pour in 1 dl beef broth and cook covered for 10 to 15 minutes until soft.

The Rice:

Cook the rice in a beef broth.

Ground Beef:

In a separate pan, add butter and brown the ground beef well to develop flavor.
Let the cooked rice, browned meat, and cabbage mixture cool to room temperature. Combine and mix well.
Stir in the salt, black pepper, allspice, marjoram, syrup, and the egg until everything is evenly combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased ovenproof dish. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs and cover with thin slices of butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for one hour until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

Notes

Browning the beef well adds extra flavor to the casserole.

The thin slices of butter on top ensure a golden, flavorful crust.

This dish pairs beautifully with lingonberry jam or pickled beets.

You can swap the rice for cooked lentils or quinoa if you prefer.

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