There’s something incredibly comforting about a casserole, and this Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake takes that comfort to new heights.
Combining the savory flavors of traditional Swedish meatballs with creamy, cheesy pasta, this dish brings together the best of both worlds.
It’s a meal that feels both elegant and satisfying, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner or even a small gathering.
With tender meatballs, a rich sauce, and melted cheese over egg noodles, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your home.
Servings and Yield
This recipe yields 4-6 servings, making it perfect for a family dinner or a small gathering with friends.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 onion, finely grated
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Casserole:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 1/2 cups egg noodles
- 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
How to Make Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, allspice, garlic powder, Kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined, but do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked at this point, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
- While the meatballs are browning, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions, until just al dente.
- Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet used to sear the meatballs, add the beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large casserole dish, combine the cooked egg noodles and the meatballs. Pour the sauce over the top and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese and sharp white cheddar over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Tips and Notes
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time, refrigerate them separately, and assemble the casserole just before baking.
- Substitutions: If you prefer a lighter version, you can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or use turkey instead of pork for the meatballs.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or mozzarella for added flavor variety.
- Serving Suggestions: This casserole pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is the perfect combination of savory, creamy, and cheesy. It brings all the comforting flavors of Swedish meatballs into a hearty, easy-to-make casserole that will satisfy any crowd.
Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, this recipe is sure to be a hit.
Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your results or any creative twists you put on the dish. We’d love to hear how you make this recipe your own! Happy cooking!
Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe
This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort dish, featuring tender meatballs, egg noodles, and a rich, creamy sauce. Topped with melted Swiss and cheddar cheese and baked to perfection, it's a hearty, satisfying meal that combines the best of Swedish and classic pasta casseroles.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 onion, finely grated
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Casserole:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 1/2 cups egg noodles
- 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sharp white cheddar, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, allspice, garlic powder, Kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined, but do not overmix.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked at this point, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
- While the meatballs are browning, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions, until just al dente.
- Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet used to sear the meatballs, add the beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large casserole dish, combine the cooked egg noodles and the meatballs. Pour the sauce over the top and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese and sharp white cheddar over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time, refrigerate them separately, and assemble the casserole just before baking.
- Substitutions: If you prefer a lighter version, you can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or use turkey instead of pork for the meatballs.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or mozzarella for added flavor variety.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 955Total Fat 71gSaturated Fat 36gTrans Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 28gCholesterol 284mgSodium 851mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 2gSugar 4gProtein 50g