Savory Finnish Cabbage Casserole Recipe With Rice (Kaalilaatikko)

Finnish Cabbage Casserole is a perfect dish for those nights that necessitate a casserole, but where you still want something a little lighter. The beef, rice and cabbage combine for a nourishing, flavorful and well-balanced meal!

Why You’ll Love This Finnish Cabbage Casserole Recipe

This is a cozy but fairly light casserole. Though you will dirty a couple of pans, it comes together quite easily. It’s a complete meal in a pan, and the flavors are delightful!

This casserole must be served with lingonberries or cranberry sauce. I’ve linked some lingonberry jam on Amazon below, if your local stores don’t carry it.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Tools & Equipment for Finnish Cabbage Casserole

• Large pot for boiling cabbage
• Knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• 9 x 13 pan
• Liquid measuring cup
• Whisk or fork

Ingredients for Finnish Cabbage Casserole

• 1 small (or 1/2 large) green cabbage
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp brown sugar or dark corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
• 1/4 tsp allspice (optional)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown or white rice: I tend to prefer brown jasmine rice for this recipe, but white jasmine, or plenty of other varieties, will do
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Lingonberries or cranberry sauce, for serving: essential. I found my lingonberry jam at World Market; IKEA sells it too, and some local grocery stores might as well, depending on where you are…or get them on Amazon, here

The Process: How To Make Finnish Cabbage Casserole

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Set aside a 9 x 13 pan.

Finely slice the cabbage, place in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil and boil cabbage for 5 min, until slightly crisp-tender.

Drain the cabbage and add butter, sugar, salt, pepper and marjoram (and allspice, if using). Set aside.

Meanwhile, cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned through. Turn off the heat, and add the rice and bread crumbs. Mix thoroughly. Lightly beat the milk and egg together, and add to the meat/rice mixture. Mix well.

Spread half of the cabbage mixture across the bottom of your 9×13 pan. Cover with all of the meat & rice mixture, then cover with the remaining cabbage mixture.

Bake 30 minutes. If you prefer crispy cabbage, flip on the broiler for a few minutes after baking time is completed. Let sit for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.

Serve with lingonberries or cranberry sauce-this part is NOT optional! Seriously, the lingonberries add so much to this dish. It’s a requirement.

Questions & Alternatives

How Should I Serve and Store Finnish Cabbage Casserole?

Serve with the aforementioned lingonberry jam, or cranberry sauce!

Finnish Cabbage Casserole keeps covered in the fridge for a few days, or cover & freeze for a few months.

Finnish Cabbage Casserole (Kaalilaatikko)

Carol Scheck

This casserole is simultaneously nourishing and light. Don't skip the lingonberries- they complement the other flavors in the casserole perfectly!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings 8

Calories 287 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 small green cabbage or 1/2 large
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp brown sugar or dark corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
• 1/4 tsp allspice optional
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice brown or white works
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Lingonberries or cranberry sauce for serving

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Set aside a 9 x 13 pan.
• Thinly slice the cabbage, place in a large pot, and cover with water.
• Bring the pot to a boil and boil cabbage for 5 min, until slightly crisp-tender.
• Drain the cabbage and add butter, sugar, salt, pepper and marjoram. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook the ground beef in a skillet until browned through. Turn off the heat. Drain any excessive extra fat, and add the rice and bread crumbs. Mix thoroughly.
• Lightly beat the milk and egg together, and add to the meat/rice mixture. Mix well.
• Spread half of the cabbage mixture across the bottom of your 9×13 pan. Cover with all of the meat & rice mixture, then cover with the remaining cabbage mixture.
• Bake 30 minutes.
• If you prefer crispy cabbage, flip on the broiler for a few minutes after baking time is completed.
• Let sit for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
• Serve with lingonberries or cranberry sauce.

Notes

1. My preferred rice for this dish is brown jasmine rice, but many other varieties will work great as well!

2. White pepper is really delicious in this too, in place of the black pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 19gFat: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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What Should I Make Next?

For another Finnish casserole, try:

Finnish Macaroni Casserole

Finnish Carrot Casserole

Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it goes in the comments!