Description
This Swedish meatball noodle bake combines tender meatballs, creamy sauce, and egg noodles for a hearty and comforting casserole. It’s the perfect dish for family dinners, blending the classic flavors of Swedish meatballs with a baked twist.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the meatballs:
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
- 250 g (1/2 lb) ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
For the sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or whole milk)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the bake:
- 300 g (10 oz) egg noodles, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Prepare the meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes to soak.
- Add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix until combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked as they will finish baking). Remove and set aside.
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Make the sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Gradually add the beef broth while whisking to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Assemble the bake:
- Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked egg noodles and half of the prepared sauce. Toss to coat.
- Spread the noodles into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the browned meatballs over the top. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the meatballs and noodles.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the casserole.
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Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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Garnish and serve:
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use store-bought frozen meatballs. Simply thaw and add them to the casserole.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half of the cream with low-fat milk.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables.