Description
Swedish meatball casserole brings classic Nordic comfort to your dinner table. Hearty layers of tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and buttery noodles create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 0.5 pound (227 grams) ground pork
Dry Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon allspice
- 0.5 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons flour
Base and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 egg
- 3 cups cooked egg noodles
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the ground meat mixture by combining beef, pork, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, and spices. Gently form compact, uniform meatballs approximately one-inch in diameter.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature. Carefully brown meatballs on all surfaces until golden, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, create a smooth roux by melting additional butter and whisking in flour. Gradually incorporate beef broth while continuously stirring to prevent lumpy texture.
- Simmer the sauce until it reaches a thick, velvety consistency. Blend in sour cream and heavy cream to enhance richness.
- Return browned meatballs to the creamy sauce, allowing them to gently simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and evenly distribute cooked egg noodles across the bottom.
- Pour the meatball and sauce mixture over the noodles, ensuring complete coverage.
- Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the top for added decadence.
- Place in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden and edges become bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for several minutes before serving to help set the sauce and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Gently mix the ground beef and pork without overworking to keep meatballs tender and light.
- Ensure meatballs are evenly browned on all sides for maximum flavor development and appetizing color.
- Whisk the roux and broth slowly to prevent lumps, creating a silky, creamy sauce that coats the meatballs beautifully.
- Swap wheat breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs and use cornstarch instead of flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 494 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg