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Meat, European

Makaronilaatikko with salad

Makaronilaatikko is a Finnish bake of macaroni and ground beef, set with eggs and milk, served with a salad. It serves 4, takes 65 minutes, rates very easy, and costs about €2.40 per person. The key is cooking the pasta slightly underdone and mixing the cold custard in well before baking.

Tonight, a Finnish school cafeteria classic, makaronilaatikko, a macaroni and ground beef bake set with eggs and milk, served with a salad.

Makaronilaatikko with salad
Total time
1 h 05
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
740 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Makaronilaatikko is the kind of bake that puts everyone at ease at the table. The macaroni soaks up the egg and milk custard as it bakes, giving it a texture close to a savory flan, firm but still soft, while the ground beef adds some chew and the cheese browns on top. Nothing fancy here, just everyday ingredients put together with care.

It's a solid weeknight dinner when you want to feed the whole family without spending the evening in the kitchen, and kids tend to love the pasta and cheese without any seasoning that might throw them off. Serve it with a well dressed salad to cut through the richness, and you have a full dinner that works just as well on a fall weeknight as a winter Sunday.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Macaronioften in the pantry 250 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Butcher

  • Ground beef 500 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 2
  • Lettuce 1
  • Tomatoes 2

Dairy

  • Eggs 3
  • Milk 50 cl
  • Shredded Swiss cheese 60 g
  • Butter 20 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the macaroni in salted water, a few minutes less than the package instructions. 8 min

    It finishes cooking in the oven, slightly firm it won't turn to mush.

  2. Brown the sliced onion in butter, add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until well browned. 10 min

    Let the meat sit and brown a bit before stirring, it builds more flavor.

  3. Beat the eggs with the milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

    Use cold milk, the custard stays smooth and creamy.

  4. Mix the macaroni and meat in a baking dish, pour the custard over and sprinkle with Swiss cheese.

    Stir with a fork so the custard reaches every corner.

  5. Bake at 180°C until the bake is set and golden. 40 min

    Pierce with a knife, it should come out clean.

  6. Make a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and serve alongside the bake.

    Serve it well dressed with vinegar, it balances the richness of the bake.

Our tips to get it right

  • Drain the macaroni well after cooking, leftover water dilutes the egg custard and keeps the bake from setting properly.
  • Use a wide baking dish rather than a deep one, it cooks more evenly and gives the top more room to brown.
  • Let the bake rest five minutes out of the oven before cutting, it holds together better and the slices stay neat.

The variations

  • Swap the ground beef for ground pork, the traditional choice in some Finnish households, for a milder flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked lentils or sliced mushrooms sautéed in a pan.
  • For a quick version, use leftover cooked meat and cut the oven time down to 25 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • Finnish style pickled beets
  • Buttered rye bread
  • Lingonberry or cranberry sauce

Storage

The bake keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot all the way through.

Questions about this dish

Can you make makaronilaatikko ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the whole dish the day before and keep it unbaked in the fridge. The next day, bake it straight from cold, just add a few extra minutes since it starts chilled.

Why cook the macaroni less than usual?

The pasta keeps cooking in the oven as it soaks up the egg and milk custard. If it's already fully cooked going in, it turns mushy and the bake loses its structure.

Can you use a different cheese instead of Swiss?

Yes, shredded gouda or edam work well and are close to what's typically used in Finland. Pick a cheese that melts and browns easily.

Is this bake good for kids who don't like mixed dishes?

Usually yes, since the flavor stays mild and familiar, close to a classic pasta bake. The nutmeg is used sparingly and doesn't stand out.

How long does it take to make a makaronilaatikko with a side salad?

Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a makaronilaatikko with a side salad?

About 740 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a makaronilaatikko with a side salad cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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