Description
This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combines juicy, flavorful meatballs with a creamy, cheesy sauce and tender rotini pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. A comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes until browned on the outside and fully cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce Base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a smooth roux without browning.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, then reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Assemble Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Combine the cooked pasta, baked meatballs, and creamy sauce in the dish. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
- Bake Pasta Casserole: Optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Breadcrumbs can be gluten-free if needed to accommodate dietary preferences.
- If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, increase the Parmesan slightly or add a sprinkle of mozzarella before baking.
- Make sure not to overcook pasta during boiling because it will cook further in the oven.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
