Description
This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combines tender, flavorful homemade meatballs with creamy Parmesan sauce and rotini pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. A comforting, hearty casserole perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, ground nutmeg, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly incorporate all ingredients.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatballs are baking, cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes fragrant to form a roux.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the beef broth. Add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, then simmer the sauce, stirring frequently, until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Combine Meatballs, Pasta, and Sauce: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then add the cooked pasta, baked meatballs, and creamy sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Bake the Casserole: Optionally, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top, then bake the assembled dish at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with the chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- For best results, do not overcook the pasta before baking since it will continue cooking in the oven.
- You can substitute ground beef with a mixture of beef and pork for richer flavor.
- Parmesan cheese can be adjusted to taste or substituted with Pecorino Romano.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh herbal note.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and refrigerated before baking.
