Description
Hearty Swedish meatball pasta bake combines classic Scandinavian comfort with creamy pasta goodness. Rich flavors meld together, inviting you to savor this comforting Nordic-inspired dish that promises warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
Meatball Seasonings and Binders:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375F (190C) and prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Gently roll mixture into compact, uniform meatballs.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown meatballs on all sides until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux. Gradually pour beef broth and heavy cream, continuously stirring until sauce transforms into a velvety, thickened consistency.
- Layer cooked pasta evenly in a baking dish, arrange browned meatballs across the surface, and generously pour creamy sauce over the entire dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, creating a complete coverage.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust meatball size for even cooking, ensuring each bite is tender and perfectly browned.
- Grate onion instead of chopping to create a smoother, more integrated meatball mixture that holds together better.
- Use a mix of ground beef and pork for richer flavor and juicier texture compared to single-meat meatballs.
- Experiment with gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg