This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combines juicy, flavorful meatballs, tender pasta, and that creamy, savory Swedish-style gravy — all baked together under a blanket of melted cheese.
It’s comfort food perfection for any night of the week. 🇸🇪🍝🧀
🍝 Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
🧂 Ingredients
🧆 For the Meatballs:
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1 lb ground beef
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½ lb ground pork (or use all beef)
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½ cup breadcrumbs
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1 egg
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¼ cup milk
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½ small onion, finely minced or grated
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1 clove garlic, minced
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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¼ tsp nutmeg
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¼ tsp allspice
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2 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)
🍜 For the Pasta & Sauce:
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12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or egg noodles work great)
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp flour
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3 cups beef broth
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½ cup heavy cream (or sour cream for tangier flavor)
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
🧀 For Topping:
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1 cup shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
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¼ cup Parmesan cheese
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Fresh parsley (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
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Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente (a minute less than package instructions).
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Drain and set aside — toss with a little butter or oil to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Meatballs:
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In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and allspice.
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Add the ground meats and gently mix until combined (don’t overwork).
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Roll into small meatballs (about 1 inch).
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Heat butter/oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through fully — they’ll finish in the oven).
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Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Swedish Sauce:
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In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter, scraping up browned bits.
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Stir in flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes to make a roux.
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Slowly whisk in beef broth, a little at a time, until smooth.
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Stir in cream, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
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Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
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Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Combine Everything:
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In a large bowl or the same skillet (if big enough), mix pasta, sauce, and meatballs.
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Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake:
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
6. Serve:
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Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm with a green salad or garlic bread.
🧀 Tips & Variations
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Shortcut: Use frozen Swedish or homestyle meatballs to save time.
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Tangier sauce: Replace cream with ½ cup sour cream for that classic Swedish flavor.
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Vegetable boost: Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce.
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Make ahead: Assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake when ready (add 10 minutes to bake time).
Would you like me to give you a one-pan version (where everything cooks together on the stove and finishes under the broiler)?
