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Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 85 reviews

A comforting Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combining tender homemade meatballs made from ground beef and pork with a creamy, flavorful sauce over perfectly cooked shell pasta, baked to golden perfection for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 and 1/4 cups plain panko bread crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2/3 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 3 tablespoons oil

Pasta

  • 2 cups shell pasta

Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Onion Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add finely chopped yellow onion, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Lower heat to medium-low and add 2/3 cup milk. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once simmering, pour this mixture into 1 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs in a large bowl and mix well to combine. Set aside to cool.
  2. Make Meatball Mixture: In a separate very large bowl, beat 2 eggs. Add 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground pork, and the cooled onion-panko mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands for best results until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  3. Form and Chill Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 30 meatballs. Place them on a tray and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
  4. Brown the Meatballs: Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook, turning frequently, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 15 minutes total. Transfer browned meatballs to a dish and set aside.
  5. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook 2 cups of shell pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13 inch oven-safe baking dish.
  6. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking once sauce and assembly are complete.
  7. Make the Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Stir in 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour continuously for about 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 4 cups low sodium beef broth and 1/2 cup water, followed by 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring often. Lower heat to medium-low, add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and 1/2 cup heavy cream, and stir constantly until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
  8. Assemble and Bake: Nestle the browned meatballs evenly into the cooked shell pasta in the baking dish. Carefully pour the thickened sauce over the meatballs and pasta. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.

Notes

  • Adjust salt and Worcestershire sauce to taste as the recipe can be salty; starting with half the amounts and adding more after tasting is recommended.
  • Use low sodium beef broth to control the saltiness in the sauce.
  • Cooking meatballs in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures even browning.
  • Using hands to mix the meatball mixture is quickest and ensures even incorporation of ingredients.

Keywords: Swedish meatballs, pasta bake, creamy meatball casserole, baked pasta, ground beef and pork meatballs, comfort food

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/swedish-meatball-pasta-bake-recipe/