Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz (340g) pasta (such as penne or rotini)
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tbsp dried parsley)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce:

• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or sour cream)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp dried thyme or dill (optional)

Topping:

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined. Form into small meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter).
4. Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, around 5-7 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage since they’ll finish cooking in the oven.
5. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine beef broth, heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and thyme/dill (if using). Heat over medium heat until warmed, stirring occasionally.
6. Combine Ingredients: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, meatballs, and sauce. Mix until everything is well coated.
7. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and meatball mixture.
8. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional chopped parsley if desired.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can add a bit of nutmeg to the meatball mixture, which is traditional in Swedish meatballs.
• You can use store-bought frozen meatballs if you’re short on time.
• This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking; just adjust the baking time accordingly.

Enjoy your Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake! It’s sure to be a hit with family and friends!