Description
Get ready to cozy up with this irresistible Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake—a perfect blend of juicy meatballs, creamy sauce, and tender rotini pasta all baked to golden perfection. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner ideas, a comfort food classic, or a family-friendly weeknight meal, this dish brings warmth and flavor to the table with minimal fuss. Ideal for cold nights or hearty gatherings, it’s a top pick for your go-to dinner recipes, food ideas, or easy casserole dishes.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
12 ounces rotini pasta
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (for sauce)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until just combined.
3. Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs on all sides until browned (they don’t need to be fully cooked). Remove and set aside.
5. Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth until smooth.
7. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until sauce thickens.
8. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta and sauce. Gently fold in the meatballs.
9. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with extra Parmesan if desired.
10. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Don’t overmix the meatball mixture—combine until just blended to keep them tender.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melt.
Add a splash of broth when reheating to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Swedish-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Swedish meatball pasta, pasta bake, creamy casserole, easy dinner