Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake combines the beloved flavors of traditional Swedish meatballs with the comfort of a hearty pasta casserole. This crowd-pleasing dish features tender homemade meatballs nestled in egg noodles, all smothered in a rich, creamy sauce and topped with melted Swiss cheese. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that brings restaurant-quality flavors to your family table in under an hour.

Why This Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake Recipe Works

The secret to this recipe’s success lies in its perfectly balanced components. The meatballs stay juicy thanks to breadcrumbs and egg binding, while grated onion adds moisture without chunky texture. Nutmeg provides that signature Swedish flavor that sets these meatballs apart from Italian versions.

Pre-cooking the noodles slightly underdone prevents mushy pasta in the final dish. The sauce combines beef broth and heavy cream for richness without being too heavy. Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth that enhances the beef flavor.

Swiss cheese melts beautifully, creating a golden top layer that complements the creamy sauce. Unlike traditional Swedish meatballs served separately, this baked version allows flavors to meld together while saving you from making multiple components.

What You’ll Need for Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 onion, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the casserole:

• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 1/2 cups egg noodles
• 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

Tools

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• Large pot for boiling noodles
• Box grater for cheese
• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Follow these steps for perfect results:

Serving and Storage Tips for Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Serving Tips

Serve this hearty casserole straight from the baking dish for family-style dining. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley for color and freshness. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy dish.

For special occasions, pair with lingonberry sauce on the side for authentic Swedish flair. Crusty bread or garlic bread makes excellent accompaniments for soaking up the delicious sauce. Consider serving with steamed green beans or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.

This recipe serves 6 generous portions. For smaller appetites or when serving with multiple sides, you can stretch it to serve 8. The casserole holds heat well, making it ideal for potlucks or buffet-style serving.

Mistakes to Avoid while making Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Overcooking the noodles before baking results in mushy pasta. Remember to undercook by 2 minutes since they’ll continue cooking in the oven. Using lean ground beef creates dry meatballs – stick with 80/20 blend for best results.

Skipping the browning step for meatballs sacrifices flavor. Even though they finish cooking in the oven, that initial sear adds crucial taste. Don’t rush the sauce reduction – it needs time to thicken properly.

Using pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Grate your own Swiss cheese for the best texture. Finally, serving immediately after baking doesn’t allow the casserole to set. Those 5 minutes of resting time make a difference.

Suggestions for Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake

Transform this recipe with creative variations. Try mixing ground pork with the beef for extra flavor depth. Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or fontina for sophisticated taste. Add mushrooms to the sauce for earthiness.

For lighter versions, substitute half the heavy cream with milk or use Greek yogurt. Whole wheat noodles add nutrition without sacrificing taste. Consider adding frozen peas during the last 5 minutes of baking for color and vegetables.

Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture. For deeper flavor, try adding a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce. Fresh dill instead of parsley gives a more Scandinavian touch. This versatile recipe adapts well to your family’s preferences.

Conclusion

This Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake transforms a classic dish into an easy, family-friendly casserole that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. With its creamy sauce, tender meatballs, and golden cheese topping, it delivers comfort food at its finest. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe offers both convenience and incredible flavor.

Try this Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe for another delicious variation. For more comforting casseroles, check out our Ultimate Chicken Casserole. Ready to explore more easy dinner ideas? Our 10-Minute Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta is perfect for busy weeknights. You might also enjoy these Swedish Meatballs with Noodles Recipes for traditional preparation methods.

More Easy Lunch Recipes:

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup – Easy 35-Minute Recipe
• Authentic Fideo Recipe
• Sizzling Garlic Butter Steak Bites: A Savory Joy Feast!
• Exquisite Thai Peanut Chicken Mason Jar Salad Fiesta Deluxe

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Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake Casserole

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• Author: Jennie Graham
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This comforting Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake combines tender homemade meatballs with egg noodles in a rich cream sauce, topped with melted Swiss cheese for the perfect family dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 onion, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 1/2 cups egg noodles
• 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, grated
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. First make the meatballs by combining ingredients.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, nutmeg, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Scoop mixture out in 1 1/2 tablespoons and roll into balls.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides. (They’ll finish cooking in the oven.) Remove to a plate and set aside.
5. While meatballs cook, boil a large pot of salted water and cook noodles 2 minutes less than package calls for.
6. To same skillet that the meatballs were seared in, add broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any stuck-on bits on the bottom.
7. Let simmer until slightly thicker, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
8. Add pasta to baking dish, and nestle meatballs into noodles. Pour sauce evenly over the top and top with cheese.
9. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

• Use a box grater to grate the onion directly over the meat mixture to catch all the juices
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture – this keeps them tender instead of tough
• Brown meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding
• Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking
• Leftovers keep for 3-4 days refrigerated and reheat beautifully

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 19g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: swedish meatball casserole, meatball pasta bake, creamy noodle casserole, swedish comfort food, easy meatball dinner, baked pasta with meatballs, family casserole recipe