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 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 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.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupCalories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 19gFat: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!