Finnish Macaroni Casserole with Reindeer
A hearty and comforting Finnish macaroni casserole, a popular dish often made with ground reindeer meat for a rich, gamey flavor, baked with macaroni and a creamy sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Macaroni
- 500 g Ground reindeer
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 700 ml Milk
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Nutmeg(freshly grated)
- 2 tbsp Breadcrumbs(for topping)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add ground reindeer to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- 4
Sprinkle flour over the meat and onion mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
- 5
Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- 6
In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, the reindeer and sauce mixture, and the eggs. Mix well.
- 7
Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs.
- 8
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an extra creamy sauce, use whole milk.
- ✓If reindeer meat is unavailable, ground beef or a mix of beef and pork can be substituted, though the flavor will differ.
- ✓Ensure the sauce is well-seasoned before adding it to the macaroni.
🔄 Variations
- Add sautéed mushrooms or a pinch of dried marjoram to the meat mixture.
- Top with grated cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking.