Here’s a comforting, creamy Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake recipe — cheesy, saucy, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
🥘 Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or ½ beef, ½ pork for extra flavor)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp allspice (optional, for authentic flavor)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta & Topping
- 8 oz pasta (penne, shells, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, spices, and mix gently.
- Form into small meatballs (~1 inch).
- Bake on a greased sheet pan 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
2️⃣ Cook Pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
3️⃣ Make Creamy Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour to form a roux; cook 1–2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in beef broth and cream until smooth.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4️⃣ Assemble the Bake
- In a large baking dish, combine cooked pasta and meatballs.
- Pour sauce over everything and stir gently to coat.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly on top.
5️⃣ Bake
- Bake 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional: broil 1–2 minutes for a golden top.
6️⃣ Serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy hot.
- Pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread.
Tips & Variations
- Make-ahead: Assemble the dish without baking; refrigerate and bake later.
- Vegetables: Add peas, mushrooms, or spinach to the pasta for extra nutrition.
- Cheese twist: Mix cheddar and mozzarella for a sharper flavor.
If you want, I can also give a one-pan stovetop version that skips the oven and still gives creamy, cheesy Swedish meatball pasta in about 30 minutes.
Do you want me to do that?
