Of course! A Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food mashup, combining the creamy, savory sauce of Swedish meatballs with the cheesy, hearty satisfaction of a pasta bake. It’s a guaranteed family favorite.
Here’s a delicious and straightforward recipe that brings it all together in one glorious dish.
Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake
This recipe simplifies the process by using frozen meatballs but delivers a rich, from-scratch flavor with the iconic creamy Swedish meatball sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Meatballs:
· 12 oz (340g) egg noodles, penne, or rotini pasta
· 1 bag (24 oz) frozen homestyle or beef meatballs (or use 1 lb of homemade meatballs)
For the Sauce:
· 4 tbsp unsalted butter
· 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
· 4 cups beef broth
· 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat sour cream*
· 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
· 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
· 1/2 tsp ground allspice
· 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
· Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Topping:
· 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
· 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
· 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Note: Using sour cream will give the sauce a tangier, more traditional Swedish meatball flavor. Heavy cream will make it richer and smoother.
Instructions
- Preheat & Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water, but stop 1-2 minutes short of al dente. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and return to the pot.
- Prepare Meatballs: While the pasta cooks, place the frozen meatballs on a baking sheet and heat in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, just to thaw them slightly. This is optional but helps them heat through evenly in the bake. Alternatively, you can add them straight from frozen.
- Make the Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste (a roux) and is lightly golden.
· Gradually whisk in the beef broth, ensuring no lumps form.
· Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
· Whisk in the heavy cream (or sour cream), Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, allspice, and nutmeg.
· Season generously with salt and pepper. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until smooth and cohesive. - Combine Everything: Pour the finished sauce over the drained pasta in the pot. Add the meatballs and stir gently to combine everything.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the pasta, sauce, and meatball mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly around the edges and the cheese is completely melted and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the bake stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken up. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Tips for the Perfect Bake & Variations
· Homemade Meatballs: For the best flavor, use homemade Swedish meatballs. Simply mix 1 lb ground beef/pork blend with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely minced onion, 1 egg, 1/4 tsp allspice, and a pinch of nutmeg. Pan-fry until browned before adding to the bake.
· Don’t Overcook the Pasta: This is the #1 rule for any pasta bake. Undercooking the pasta ensures it doesn’t turn to mush while baking.
· Lingonberry Jam: Serve with a side of lingonberry jam! This sweet-tart condiment is the classic accompaniment to Swedish meatballs and cuts through the richness of the sauce beautifully.
· Add Veggies: For a more complete meal, stir in a cup of frozen peas or thawed chopped spinach into the pasta and sauce mixture before baking.
· Make it Ahead: Assemble the entire bake (without baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to eat, bake from cold, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time, or until hot and bubbly.
This dish is the definition of cozy. The creamy, spiced sauce with the tender meatballs and cheesy pasta is a combination that’s hard to beat. Enjoy