Description
This Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake is your new favorite comfort classic. Imagine juicy, savory meatballs nestled in creamy, rich gravy, all tossed with tender pasta shells and baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a cozy, family-friendly dish perfect for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or make-ahead meals. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner ideas, hearty comfort food, or a one-pan wonder, this recipe checks every box. It’s satisfying, freezer-friendly, and packed with flavor in every bite—ideal for easy recipes, quick dinner solutions, and food ideas that feel special without a lot of effort.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp oil (for browning meatballs)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 oz pasta shells
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs in batches on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
3. Cook pasta shells in salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly add beef broth, whisking constantly until thickened.
5. Stir in cream, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan. Simmer until smooth and creamy.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, combine pasta and most of the sauce. Add meatballs and top with remaining sauce.
7. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes more until bubbling and lightly golden.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Mix meat gently to keep meatballs tender.
Let sauce thicken fully before combining with pasta.
Don’t skip covering during baking—keeps everything moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 130mg