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)
This casserole is simultaneously nourishing and light. Don't skip the lingonberries- they complement the other flavors in the casserole perfectly!
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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. 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 9x13 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.
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What Should I Make Next?
For another Finnish casserole, try:
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it goes in the comments!
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