Description
This Creamy Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake brings together the best of two comfort food worlds—classic Swedish meatballs and rich, cheesy baked pasta. With a velvety sauce made from sour cream, broth, and a touch of Dijon mustard, it’s the perfect all-in-one meal for cozy weeknights or hearty family dinners. The golden cheesy topping makes it irresistibly satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli), cooked al dente
- 1 lb Swedish-style meatballs (homemade or frozen, pre-cooked)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or Gruyère cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Meatballs: If using frozen meatballs, heat them according to package instructions or pan-fry until warmed through. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in broth and bring to a simmer until thickened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in Creamy Ingredients: Add heavy cream, sour cream, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Meatballs: Add cooked pasta and meatballs to the sauce, gently mixing to coat.
- Assemble the Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour everything into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Broil the last 2 minutes for a crispier top if desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Let rest for 5–10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken meatballs or vegetarian options to switch things up. Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for more flavor and texture. Don’t skip broiling—it adds that irresistible crust on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Swedish-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6th of dish)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg