Ingredients for Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake 🧀
For the Meatballs
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for pan frying)
For the Creamy Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Pasta Bake
- 350 g pasta (penne or fusilli works best)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs 🥩
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, minced onion, egg, breadcrumbs, and all the seasonings. Knead gently until everything is well combined without overworking the mixture. Form small, firm meatballs and set them aside.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then fry the meatballs until browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage — they will finish cooking in the oven.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta 🍝
Boil the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside. The pasta will soften further as it bakes, absorbing some of the sauce.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Swedish-Style Sauce 🥣
Using the same pan you used for the meatballs, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour until a smooth, golden roux forms. Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Once slightly thickened, add the heavy cream and mustard.
Season with salt and pepper and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until creamy and smooth.
Step 4: Assemble the Pasta Bake 🧡
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with half the creamy sauce. Stir gently so the pasta absorbs all the flavors.
Transfer the pasta into a baking dish. Nestle the meatballs evenly over the top, then pour the remaining sauce over them. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and parmesan.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly 🔥
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheeses are melted, slightly golden, and beautifully bubbly.
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving — this helps the flavors settle and makes slicing easier…..
