Description
A comforting and flavorful Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combining tender homemade meatballs with creamy Parmesan sauce and al dente rotini pasta, all baked to bubbly perfection. This hearty dish is 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 & Garnish
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, ground nutmeg, allspice, salt, and black pepper until fully mixed.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and evenly place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are browned on the outside and fully cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: While the meatballs bake, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Prepare Sauce: Gradually whisk in beef broth to the roux, then add heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta, Meatballs, and Sauce: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and combine the cooked pasta, baked meatballs, and creamy sauce. Toss gently to ensure everything is well coated.
- Bake the Pasta Bake: Optionally sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top, then bake in a 375°F oven for 20 minutes until the dish is bubbly and hot throughout.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta during boiling as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower-fat version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
