Aunt Anna's Pan Pasty

This is my favorite comfort dish which was the signature dish of my Aunt Anna in Mass City, MI. Ingredients are as for those in most any Upper Peninsula Finnish-style pasty, but cooked without a crust. When I make it, I just can't stop eating it, either hot or cold! Somehow the ingredients meld together for a wonderfully tasty, one-dish meal which is considerably more healthy than pasty with a crust. When serving, pass the ketchup, along with a side of your favorite coleslaw.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 231 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 carrots, diced
• 4 potatoes, diced
• ¼ cup water, or more as needed
• 4 teaspoons butter (Optional)
• ½ small rutabaga, diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease.

Step 3

Mix ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onion, rutabaga, water, salt, and pepper together in a casserole dish; top with butter. Cover dish with an oven-safe cover or aluminum foil.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; stir and add more water if needed. Continue baking until vegetables are tender, about 1 more hour.