Here’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing recipe for Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake — tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and pasta all baked together with a golden cheesy topping. It’s like Swedish meatballs meets a cozy casserole!
🍝 Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake
🍽️ Servings: 6
⏱️ Time: 45–50 minutes
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
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1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
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1/2 cup breadcrumbs
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1/4 cup milk
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1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
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1 egg
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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1/4 tsp ground allspice or nutmeg (optional, classic Swedish spices)
For the Sauce:
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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2 cups beef broth
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1 cup heavy cream or sour cream
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bake:
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12 oz egg noodles (or any short pasta)
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1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese or mozzarella
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
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Boil egg noodles in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Meatballs:
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In a bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
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Add ground meat, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and allspice/nutmeg. Mix until just combined.
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Form into small meatballs (about 1 inch).
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In a skillet over medium heat, brown meatballs in batches until cooked through and golden on all sides. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
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In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
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Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
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Gradually whisk in beef broth, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened.
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Stir in cream and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Combine and Assemble:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large bowl, combine cooked noodles, meatballs, and sauce. Mix gently.
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Transfer to a greased baking dish.
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Top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake:
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Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted and golden.
6. Serve:
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
🍽️ Tips:
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For a lighter sauce, substitute sour cream for heavy cream.
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Add sautéed mushrooms or peas for extra veggies.
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Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meatball option.