Description
A comforting Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake featuring tender homemade meatballs baked to perfection, combined with al dente rotini pasta and a creamy, savory Parmesan sauce. This hearty casserole is baked until bubbly and golden, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner that’s both satisfying and delicious.
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: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for the meatballs.
- Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, ground nutmeg, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes or until they are browned and fully cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatballs bake, cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 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 sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens nicely.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta, Meatballs & Sauce: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, baked meatballs, and the creamy sauce. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Bake the Casserole: Optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top and bake the dish at 375°F for 20 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a lighter option, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
- Let the pasta slightly undercook (al dente) to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
