Makaronilaatikko: Finnish Beef Macaroni Bake

Method

1. 1

   Cook the macaroni

   Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.

   10 min
2. 2

   Fry the onion and mince

   In a frying pan, fry the finely chopped onion, then add the minced beef and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper, and flavour with basil or thyme.

   10 min
3. 3

   Combine

   Mix the meat mixture with the drained macaroni in a large bowl.

   2 min
4. 4

   Prepare the tin

   Grease a baking tin with butter, then spread the pasta and meat mixture evenly into it.

   3 min
5. 5

   Egg and milk custard

   Whisk the eggs with the milk, season lightly with salt, and pour over the pasta.

   3 min
6. 6

   First bake

   Place the tin in a preheated oven at 150°C and bake for 40 minutes, until the egg layer has set.

   40 min
7. 7

   Cheesy topping

   Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top, then bake at 225°C for a further 15 minutes, until it turns a golden reddish-brown.

   15 min