Baked Rutabaga Casserole is a fun side dish that allows you to experiment with new flavors! The dish is baked with cinnamon, nutmeg and molasses and toasted with bread crumbs on top. It is delicious any time of year but would especially fit in with your Christmas table.
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Recipe Origins
Rutabagas are a very popular vegetable often eaten in Finland, though it is sometimes called a Swedish Turnip there!
Rutabaga Casserole is largely enjoyed as a Christmas dish in Finland, and I can see why! It’s flavored with molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg for winter flavors… a classic Christmas treat!
Why Make this Recipe
- Experiment with Rutabagas: I’m not sure about anyone else, but despite seeing them on the shelves in the grocery store, I had never tried a rutabaga before trying this recipe. It was fun to experiment with a new vegetable and try out something new!
- “Travel” to Finland: Finland is somewhere I dream of going one day, but I haven’t been yet! Until then, I’ll just need to experience what I can of Finland from my kitchen. That’s where the baked rutabaga comes in!
What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?
Ingredients
- Rutabagas: You will need 2 lbs of rutabagas for this recipe. It took about 3 small rutabagas for me, but could also be made with 2 large ones.
- Seasonings: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Salt
- Heavy Whipping Cream: If you can’t find this in your grocery store, half and half will also work
- Molasses: Dark Sugar Cane Molasses is a good choice
- Breadcrumbs: Make sure your breadcrumbs are very fine and that they are plain!
- Dairy: Eggs, Butter
Tools
- Potato Masher
- Instant Pot (optional): You can use a 6 quart or an 8 quart
- Pot: This pots and pan set from Cuisinart is perfect!
- 8×8 Baking Tray: I like this one because you can put the lid right on it to store everything!
How to Make this Recipe
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Step 1: Cook the Rutabagas
Peel the rutabagas and cut them into large chunks. Then, cook the rutabagas. You can do this by boiling them in salted water for about 35-40 minutes OR you can cook them in the Instant Pot.
To cook them in the Instant Pot, place the rutabaga pieces on the trivet and then pour 2 cups of water into the pot. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the rutabagas are cooked, drain them, then mash them with a potato masher.
In a separate bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, nutmeg, salt, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, and ground ginger together. Then mix that into the mashed rutabagas.
Step 3: Bake
Spray a 8×8 pan with nonstick spray, then pour the rutabaga mixture into the pan.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. You can use your spoon or a knife to create a design on the top of the casserole.
Slice the butter into 9 equal squares, and place the butter on top of the breadcrumbs so that it will melt during baking.
Bake the casserole for about 1 hour. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- If you don’t like the taste of molasses, you can also use syrup if you’d prefer. This leads to a less strong flavor.
- Rutabagas are waxed when you buy them in the grocery store, so make sure to wash them and peel them completely. You don’t want to be eating that!
- If you are boiling the water that you’re cooking the rutabagas in, make sure to salt it!
Recipe FAQs
Do Turnips and Rutabagas Taste the Same?
Rutabagas and Turnips are very similar to one another (hence why sometimes the Rutabaga is even called the Swedish Turnip!).
However, they do vary slightly in taste. The Rutabaga tends to be sweeter than a turnip, which is why it is the perfect vegetable for your cinnamon Christmas dish!
What Meats Go with Rutabagas?
Beef, pork, roast or lamb are my favorite choices!
How Long Will the Baked Rutabaga Casserole Stay Good?
If you keep it in an airtight container, the casserole should last in your fridge for up to a week!
Did you enjoy this recipe for Baked Rutabaga Casserole from Finland? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes that I picked out just for you:
- Finnish Blueberry Custard Pie
- Finnish Cinnamon Rolls
- Finnish Summer Soup
- Gyuveche Casserole from Bulgaria
- Noodle Kugel Recipe
- Instant Pot Rutabaga Mash
Baked Rutabaga Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb Rutabagas
- ½ cup heavy whipping Cream
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Salt
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tbsp molasses
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground Ginger
- ¼ cup Breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp Butter, cold
Instructions
- Peel the rutabagas and cut them into large chunks. Then, cook the rutabagas. You can do this by boiling them in salted water for about 35-40 minutes OR you can cook them in the Instant Pot. To cook them in the Instant Pot, place the rutabaga pieces on the trivet and then pour 2 cups of water into the pot. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes with a 10 minute natural release.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the rutabagas are cooked, drain them, then mash them with a potato masher.
- In a separate bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, nutmeg, salt, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, and ground ginger together. Then, mix that into the mashed rutabagas.
- Spray a 8×8 pan with nonstick spray, then pour the rutabaga mixture into the pan.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top. You can use your spoon or a knife to create a design on the top of the casserole.
- Slice the butter into 9 equal squares, and place the butter on top of the breadcrumbs so that it will melt during baking.
- Bake the casserole for about 1 hour. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Rutabagas: You will need 2 lbs of rutabagas for this recipe. It took about 3 small rutabagas for me, but could also be made with 2 large ones.
- Seasonings: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Salt
- Heavy Whipping Cream: If you can’t find this in your grocery store, half and half will also work
- Molasses: Dark Sugar Cane Molasses is a good choice
- Breadcrumbs: Make sure your breadcrumbs are very fine and that they are plain!
- Dairy: Eggs, Butter
- If you don’t like the taste of molasses, you can also use syrup if you’d prefer. This leads to a less strong flavor.
- Rutabagas are waxed when you buy them in the grocery store, so make sure to wash them and peel them completely. You don’t want to be eating that!
- If you are boiling the water that you’re cooking the rutabagas in, make sure to salt it!
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