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Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake

A cozy and satisfying one-pan dish that combines pasta and meatballs in a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Swedish
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra flavor)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • to taste salt and pepper
For the Pasta Bake
  • 3 cups pasta (penne or fusilli)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup frozen peas because greens make everything better!
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated and roll into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Cooking
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add a little oil and fry the meatballs until browned on all sides, about 7-10 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked as they’ll finish baking in the oven. Transfer to a plate once done.
  2. In the same skillet, add pasta, beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat. Add in the frozen peas and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Gently fold the meatballs into the cooked pasta mixture. Transfer everything to a baking dish and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
  2. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

You can use store-bought meatballs for convenience, and feel free to customize with veggies like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition. This dish can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to bake.