Description
Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combines tender homemade Swedish meatballs with creamy parmesan sauce and rotini pasta, baked to bubbly perfection. This hearty one-dish meal features classic spices like nutmeg and allspice, making it a comforting crowd-pleaser 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 & Pasta
- 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
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and black pepper until evenly incorporated.
- Form meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange them spaced out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs: Place the sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 18–20 minutes until browned on the outside and cooked through inside.
- Cook pasta: While the meatballs bake, cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make roux and sauce base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add liquids and simmer: Gradually whisk in the beef broth, then add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add cheese and season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
- Combine pasta, meatballs, and sauce: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then add the cooked pasta, baked meatballs, and creamy sauce. Toss gently to evenly coat everything.
- Bake assembled dish: Optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese over the top, then bake the casserole at 375°F for 20 minutes until it is bubbly and golden around the edges.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Breadcrumbs can be gluten-free to make this recipe gluten-sensitive friendly.
- Leftovers store well and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- You can add finely chopped mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra veggies.
- If you prefer smaller meatballs, adjust baking time accordingly.
