Comforting Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a mouthwatering swedish meatball casserole brings comfort and nostalgia to your dinner table.

Memories of traditional Scandinavian cuisine dance through each hearty bite.

Creamy sauce mingles with tender, seasoned meatballs in a delightful harmony of flavors.

Rich, savory ingredients promise a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Noodles provide the perfect backdrop for these delectable spheres of goodness.

Fragrant herbs and spices whisper tales of Nordic kitchens.

We promise this dish will transport you straight to the cozy dining rooms of sweden.

Dig into this irresistible casserole and savor every delicious moment.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Brings Rich, Cozy Flavor

• Whip Up Family Comfort: Perfect for busy weeknights, this Swedish meatball casserole delivers hearty, delicious flavors that everyone will love.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this casserole takes just about 45 minutes, offering a speedy solution for hungry families craving a satisfying dinner.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adaptable for potlucks, family gatherings, or quiet dinners at home, this dish brings comfort and joy to any dining occasion with its creamy, savory goodness.

What You Use For Swedish Meatball Casserole

• Ground Beef: Classic protein with rich flavor for hearty meatballs, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
• Egg: Helps bind meatball ingredients together, ensures compact texture.
• Bread Crumbs: Adds structure and lightness to meatballs, helps absorb moisture.
• Onion: Provides sweet and savory depth to meat mixture, finely chopped for even distribution.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances meat's overall taste with mild, aromatic seasoning.

• Salt & Pepper: Essential for balancing and intensifying flavors in meatballs and sauce.

• Butter: Creates rich base for sauce, adds smooth, creamy texture.
• Flour: Thickens sauce and creates smooth consistency.
• Beef Broth: Provides deep, meaty liquid base for sauce, adds extra flavor complexity.
• Sour Cream: Brings tangy, creamy finish to sauce, traditional in Swedish-style dishes.

• Pasta (Egg Noodles): Serves as comforting base for meatball casserole, absorbs sauce well.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds fresh, bright garnish with subtle herb flavor, provides color contrast.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Prep Sequence

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pasta

Crank up your oven to 350°F.

Cook pasta following package directions until perfectly al dente.

Drain and set aside, ready for the meatball magic.

Step 2: Mix Meatball Magic

• Ground beef
• Bread crumbs
• Finely chopped onion
• Egg
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Use your hands to blend everything together, then roll into delightful bite-sized meatballs.

Step 3: Brown the Meatballs

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook meatballs until they’re golden brown and fully cooked through.

Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.

Gradually pour in beef broth, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes luxuriously smooth.

Step 5: Elevate the Sauce

Stir sour cream into the sauce, creating a rich and creamy base.

Gently add the cooked meatballs, coating them completely in the velvety sauce.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer the cooked pasta to a casserole dish.

Lovingly pour the meatballs and sauce over the pasta, ensuring everything is well distributed.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the dish is bubbling and heated completely through.

Step 8: Finishing Touch

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Serve hot and enjoy your Swedish meatball casserole!

Swedish Meatball Casserole – Tips For Creamy Sauce

• Select ground beef with 85% lean meat for juicier, more flavorful meatballs without excess grease.
• Combine meatball ingredients lightly with a fork to prevent tough, dense texture and maintain tender consistency.
• Whisk beef broth gradually into the roux to eliminate lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce a day in advance, refrigerate separately, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for enhanced flavor development.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives and use ground turkey for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish's classic comfort food appeal.

Storing and Reheating Swedish Meatball Casserole Without Drying

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers, where it can remain frozen for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover casserole with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated completely through.
• Place individual portions in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Accompaniments

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir to complement the rich, savory flavors of the Swedish meatball casserole, cutting through the creamy sauce with its balanced acidity.
• Enhance with Tangy Cucumber Salad: Create a refreshing side dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers, dill, and a light vinegar dressing to provide a crisp contrast to the hearty casserole and cleanse the palate.
• Serve with Lingonberry Jam: Add a traditional Swedish touch by offering lingonberry jam on the side, which brings a sweet-tart burst that perfectly balances the meaty, creamy casserole and adds an authentic Nordic element.
• Match with Crisp Pilsner Beer: Choose a cold, crisp Pilsner beer to cut through the richness of the dish, its light and hoppy profile providing a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy sauce and savory meatballs.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Unique Additions

• Gluten-Free Meatball Casserole: Replace bread crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use gluten-free pasta and replace flour with cornstarch for the sauce.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Swap ground beef with plant-based meat crumbles or lentil-based meatballs. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for the sauce.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute pasta with roasted cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Keep the meatball and sauce recipe the same for a lighter version.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace sour cream with coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt. Use dairy-free butter alternative for the roux and sauce preparation.

FAQs

• Are Swedish meatballs different from regular meatballs?

Swedish meatballs typically use a blend of beef and pork, and are seasoned with nutmeg and allspice, giving them a unique flavor profile compared to traditional Italian or American meatballs.

• Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the baking stage and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to cook.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love meatballs and pasta, and the creamy sauce makes this dish extra appealing. The mild seasonings won’t be too spicy for young palates.

• What's the purpose of using bread crumbs in the meatballs?

Bread crumbs help bind the meat together, add texture, and prevent the meatballs from becoming too dense or dry during cooking.

Swedish Meatball Casserole Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Swedish meatball casserole brings comfort straight from Scandinavian kitchens, blending rich beef, creamy sauce, and tender pasta. Nordic flavors mingle deliciously, inviting you to savor a warm, satisfying meal that celebrates classic European cuisine.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg

Starches and Binding Agents:

• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (such as egg noodles)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F and prepare pasta according to package directions, draining and setting aside.
2. Combine ground beef with bread crumbs, finely chopped onion, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
3. Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform, bite-sized spheres, ensuring even consistency.
4. Heat a skillet over medium-high and thoroughly brown meatballs, cooking until completely done and developing a rich, golden exterior.
5. Without cleaning the skillet, melt butter and sprinkle flour, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux.
6. Gradually pour beef broth into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and allow the sauce to thicken and develop a silky texture.
7. Fold sour cream into the sauce, creating a creamy, luxurious consistency that will envelop the meatballs.
8. Return meatballs to the skillet, coating them generously with the velvety sauce.
9. Transfer the pasta to a casserole dish, arranging meatballs evenly throughout the pasta.
10. Pour the entire sauce mixture over the pasta and meatballs, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and heated completely through.
12. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top before serving for a vibrant, fresh garnish.

Notes

• Enhance meatball tenderness by avoiding overmixing the meat, which can make them tough and dense.
• Opt for ground beef with slightly higher fat content (80/20) to ensure juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t dry out during cooking.
• Customize the dish for gluten-sensitive diets by substituting breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
• Create a lighter version by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and replacing some beef with ground turkey for reduced calories and fat.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 80mg