Savory Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Nordic kitchens inspire this mouthwatering Swedish meatball casserole that brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Fragrant herbs and rich seasonings dance through each savory bite.

Tender meat nestles between layers of creamy sauce and golden potatoes.

Memories of cozy stockholm evenings emerge with every forkful of this hearty dish.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients create such complex flavors.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you serve this crowd-pleasing masterpiece.

Prepare to experience a delectable journey through scandinavian culinary traditions that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Swedish Meatball Casserole Special

• Savor Hearty Comfort: Classic Swedish meatball flavors transformed into a cozy casserole that hugs your taste buds with rich, creamy goodness.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: No complicated steps required – just mix, brown, layer, and bake, making this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Create Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the cheesy, meaty combination nestled in creamy sauce, ensuring clean plates and happy smiles around the dinner table.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add extra cheese, making this versatile dish adaptable to personal preferences and pantry availability.

Ingredients for Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe

• Ground Beef, Ground Pork: These meats provide a rich and hearty foundation for the meatballs with complementary flavors.

• Breadcrumbs: Help hold the meatballs together and create a tender texture.
• Egg, Milk: Add moisture and help bind the meatball ingredients.

• Onion, Garlic Powder: Provide depth of savory flavor to the meatballs.
• Allspice, Nutmeg: Add warm, traditional Swedish meatball spice profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Butter, Flour: Create a classic roux base for the creamy sauce.
• Beef Broth: Adds rich, meaty flavor to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides smooth, luxurious texture to the sauce.

• Egg Noodles: Serve as the comforting base for the casserole.

• Shredded Cheese: Adds extra richness and golden color when melted.

• Parsley: Provides fresh color and a light herbal finish.

How to Cook Swedish Meatball Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Meatball Mixture

Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, egg, milk, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Gently mix ingredients until well blended.

Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, ensuring they are evenly shaped.

Step 2: Brown Meatballs

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place meatballs in the skillet, rotating them to brown evenly on all sides. Cook until they develop a golden-brown exterior and are mostly cooked through.

Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and sprinkle flour, whisking to create a smooth roux.

Slowly pour in beef broth, continuing to whisk to prevent lumps. Add heavy cream and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally until it thickens and becomes velvety.

Step 4: Assemble Casserole

Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread cooked egg noodles as the bottom layer.

Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the noodles. Arrange browned meatballs on top of the sauce.

Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the meatballs.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C).

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden and the sauce becomes bubbly. Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Step 6: Serve

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot directly from the baking dish, ensuring each serving gets meatballs, noodles, and creamy sauce.

Helpful Tips for Swedish Meatball Casserole

• Ensure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
• Replace ground pork with ground turkey for a leaner protein option that still maintains moisture and flavor.
• Add a pinch of extra allspice and nutmeg to enhance the traditional Swedish meatball authentic taste profile.
• Let the meatballs rest in the skillet after browning to develop a rich caramelized exterior and seal in juices.
• Substitute egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for those with dietary restrictions while maintaining the dish's creamy comfort.

Creative Twists on Swedish Meatball Casserole

• Vegetarian Meatball Swap: Replace ground beef and pork with plant-based alternatives like lentil, mushroom, or soy protein crumbles mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs, replace egg noodles with zucchini noodles or rice noodles, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute egg noodles with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables, use almond flour instead of regular flour, and keep protein and cream sauce intact.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Add feta cheese, swap allspice with oregano, incorporate chopped spinach into meatball mixture, and garnish with fresh dill instead of parsley.

Suggested Pairings for Swedish Meatball Casserole

• Comfort Food Family Feast: Gather loved ones around this hearty casserole, sharing warm conversation and delicious bites that bring everyone closer together.
• Scandinavian Dinner Party: Wow guests with this authentic Swedish-inspired dish, creating a memorable evening with international culinary flair and rich flavors.
• Cozy Weekend Meal: Prepare this comforting casserole on a chilly day, offering a satisfying one-pan meal that provides warmth and fills hungry bellies with pure deliciousness.
• Meal Prep Champion: Make a large batch and portion into containers for easy weeknight dinners, ensuring a quick and tasty solution for busy families and individuals.

Best Storage Practices for Swedish Meatball Casserole

• Store leftover Swedish Meatball Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer the casserole to a freezer-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid for freezing up to 2 months.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for easy single-serving storage.

FAQs

• What makes Swedish meatballs different from other meatballs?

Swedish meatballs use a unique blend of ground beef and pork, with distinctive spices like allspice and nutmeg that give them a warm, complex flavor profile distinct from traditional Italian or American-style meatballs.

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

While the traditional recipe uses ground beef and pork, you can substitute with ground turkey or chicken, though this will slightly change the authentic Swedish flavor and texture of the meatballs.

• Is this casserole version authentic to Swedish cuisine?

This is an Americanized version of the classic Swedish meatball dish. Traditional Swedish meatballs are typically served with lingonberry jam and are not usually prepared as a casserole, but this recipe captures the essential flavors of the original dish.

Creamy Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering swedish meatball casserole blends Nordic comfort with hearty flavors. Creamy sauce and tender morsels promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground pork

Binder and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 egg
• 0.25 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon allspice
• 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Sauce and Topping Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups cooked egg noodles
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare ingredients and preheat the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring all components are at room temperature.
2. Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, egg, milk, and spices in a mixing bowl. Gently blend ingredients until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
3. Roll the meat mixture into uniform, bite-sized meatballs, aiming for consistent size to ensure even cooking.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown meatballs on all sides until golden, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux. Gradually pour beef broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and create a velvety sauce.
6. Incorporate heavy cream into the sauce, reducing heat and simmering for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
7. Spread cooked egg noodles evenly in a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, creating a uniform base.
8. Pour the creamy sauce over the noodles, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Arrange browned meatballs on top of the sauce-coated noodles in a single layer.
10. Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the meatballs for added richness.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the top develops a golden-brown crust.
12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

• Swap ground meats for leaner alternatives like turkey or chicken to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the dish.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Create a dairy-free sauce by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a plant-based adaptation.
• Enhance meatball flavor by adding fresh herbs like dill or thyme to the meat mixture for an extra aromatic touch.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 598 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg