Description
Hearty Swedish meatball pasta bake combines classic Scandinavian comfort with creamy, savory goodness. Melted cheese, tender meatballs, and perfectly cooked pasta promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 large egg
Aromatics and Base:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Cheese:
- 16 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare pasta according to package directions, then thoroughly drain.
- Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced onion, crushed garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Gently form uniform meatballs.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium temperature and carefully brown meatballs on all surfaces until golden. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, create a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until smooth and lightly golden.
- Gradually incorporate beef broth and cream into the roux, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky sauce.
- Season the sauce with Worcestershire sauce, additional salt, and pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens and develops rich flavor.
- Transfer cooked pasta to a large baking dish, arrange browned meatballs evenly throughout, and pour sauce over the entire mixture.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden crust.
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Swap ground meats for a leaner protein like turkey or chicken to reduce overall fat content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Toast breadcrumbs briefly before mixing into meatball mixture to enhance nutty depth and provide extra crispiness to the exterior.
- Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet for 15 minutes before browning to help them maintain perfect round shape and prevent falling apart during cooking.
- Consider adding a splash of soy sauce or beef base to the sauce for deeper umami flavor that elevates the entire dish’s richness and complexity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg