Irresistible Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake: A Comforting Delight for Meatball Lovers

Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake – Get ready for a tantalizing treat with our Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake recipe! This dish combines the savory goodness of Swedish meatballs with perfectly cooked pasta, all baked to golden perfection. What makes this recipe truly special is the rich and creamy sauce that envelops the meatballs and pasta, creating a harmony of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Whether you’re a fan of meatballs or simply looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, this Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is a must-try dish that will surely win over your taste buds.

In our household, the Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake has become an instant hit and a beloved family favorite. It all started when my husband, an avid meatball enthusiast, took his first bite of this dish. The flavors danced on his palate, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is the best meatball pasta I’ve ever tasted!” From that day forward, it has been a regular request for dinner, and even our little ones have fallen in love with its comforting embrace. It has become more than just a recipe; it’s a culinary tradition that brings joy and togetherness to our family table.

Why This Dish Is a Must-Try?

• A fusion of Swedish meatballs and pasta: This recipe combines the best of both worlds, bringing together the rich flavors of Swedish meatballs with the comforting satisfaction of pasta. It’s a match made in food heaven!
• Creamy and flavorful sauce: The luscious sauce, made with a blend of butter, flour, beef broth, and cream, coats the meatballs and pasta, infusing them with a delectable richness and depth of flavor.
• Perfectly seasoned meatballs: Crafted with a mixture of ground beef and pork, these meatballs are seasoned with a blend of spices, including allspice and nutmeg, to create a tantalizing taste experience.
• Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults alike. Its comforting flavors and satisfying textures make it a go-to dish for family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

• 1 and 1/4 cups plain panko bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 3 tablespoons oil

Pasta:

• 2 cups shell pasta

Sauce:

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups beef broth (low sodium, equivalent to a 32-ounce box)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (adjust to taste)
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine panko bread crumbs and set aside.

In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add finely chopped onion, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often.

Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

Reduce heat to low/medium, pour in the milk, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl of panko bread crumbs and stir until well combined. Set aside to cool.

In an extra-large bowl, beat the eggs and then add ground beef, ground pork, and the cooled onion mixture. Mix everything together.

Form about 30 meatballs and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and cook the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, approximately 15 minutes. Transfer cooked meatballs to a dish and set aside.

Cook the shell pasta al dente according to package instructions, then drain and add it to a 9×13 oven-safe baking dish.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Arrange the meatballs on top of the pasta in the baking dish.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour for about 2 minutes.

Add beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring often.

Reduce heat to low/medium and add parsley and heavy cream. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce thickens, around 10 minutes.

Carefully pour the sauce over the meatballs and pasta in the baking dish.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the dish is golden and bubbling.

Notes:

• Feel free to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences. Start with less salt and Worcestershire sauce, and add more gradually if needed.
• This recipe serves as a great base for customization. You can experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique twist.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork.

As we reach the end of our journey through the delectable Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake, we hope that you’ve been inspired to embark on your own culinary adventure. This recipe is more than just a dish; it’s a symphony of flavors that brings together the comforting warmth of Swedish meatballs and the delightful satisfaction of pasta. It’s a dish that speaks of love, tradition, and the joy of gathering around the table with loved ones.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary endeavors, this recipe is sure to impress. From the tender homemade meatballs seasoned with aromatic spices to the creamy sauce that coats every morsel, each bite is a moment of pure bliss. It’s a dish that will transport you to cozy kitchens in Sweden, where families have been passing down their cherished recipes for generations.

So, tie on your apron, gather the ingredients, and let the aromas fill your kitchen as you embark on this culinary escapade. Prepare to indulge in a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and bring a smile to the faces of those you love. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, the Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is destined to become a staple in your household, just as it has in ours.

As you take that first forkful and savor the harmonious blend of flavors, we hope it brings you joy, comfort, and a sense of connection. Food has a magical way of bringing people together, and this recipe is no exception. It’s a celebration of food’s ability to nourish both our bodies and our souls.

Thank you for joining us on this culinary adventure, and may your kitchen always be filled with love, laughter, and the tantalizing aromas of delicious meals. Happy cooking and bon appétit!

FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs instead of making them from scratch?

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs if you’re short on time. Simply thaw them before cooking and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Can I substitute the shell pasta with another type of pasta?

Absolutely! While shell pasta works wonderfully in this recipe, you can substitute it with your favorite pasta shape, such as penne or fusilli, for a personal touch.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Simply follow the recipe until step 15, cover the baking dish, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator, preheat the oven, and bake as directed. Keep in mind that you may need to increase the baking time slightly if the dish is cold.

Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake

Sacrlett

This dish combines the savory goodness of Swedish meatballs with perfectly cooked pasta, all baked to golden perfection. What makes this recipe truly special is the rich and creamy sauce that envelops the meatballs and pasta, creating a harmony of flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Chilling time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

Meatballs:

• 1 and 1/4 cups plain panko bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 pound ground beef 85/15
• 1 pound ground pork
• 3 tablespoons oil

Pasta:

• 2 cups shell pasta

Sauce:

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups beef broth low sodium, equivalent to a 32-ounce box
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce adjust to taste
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon salt adjust to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, combine panko bread crumbs and set aside.
• In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add finely chopped onion, salt, pepper, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low/medium, pour in the milk, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl of panko bread crumbs and stir until well combined. Set aside to cool.
• In an extra-large bowl, beat the eggs and then add ground beef, ground pork, and the cooled onion mixture. Mix everything together.
• Form about 30 meatballs and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and cook the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, approximately 15 minutes. Transfer cooked meatballs to a dish and set aside.
• Cook the shell pasta al dente according to package instructions, then drain and add it to a 9x13 oven-safe baking dish.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Arrange the meatballs on top of the pasta in the baking dish.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour for about 2 minutes.
• Add beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring often.
• Reduce heat to low/medium and add parsley and heavy cream. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce thickens, around 10 minutes.
• Carefully pour the sauce over the meatballs and pasta in the baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the dish is golden and bubbling.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences. Start with less salt and Worcestershire sauce, and add more gradually if needed.

This recipe serves as a great base for customization. You can experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique twist.

Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

For a lighter option, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork.

Keyword Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake