This hearty Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake combines tender meatballs with creamy sauce and pasta, topped with melted cheese for a comforting meal that's perfect for any dinner.
Ingredients
1 large egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 medium, diced onion
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons oil
8 ounces pasta
1 cup beef broth
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup, shredded cheese
to taste fresh dill
1 squeeze lemon
Method
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 7x11-inch baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, beat an egg and blend in breadcrumbs, chopped onion, milk, salt, nutmeg, allspice, and cayenne pepper. Add ground beef to the mixture and form into meatballs about 1 1/2 tablespoons each.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs until browned on all sides, roughly 8 minutes; they don't need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, then drain it and transfer it to the greased baking dish. Layer the browned meatballs on top of the pasta.
In the same skillet, pour in beef broth, scraping the bottom to release any flavorful bits. Bring to a boil, then stir in heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Pour the creamy sauce over the meatballs and pasta in the baking dish, then cover it with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the dish is heated through and bubbly.
Remove the foil, add cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Finish with fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
