Description
This comforting Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake combines tender, flavorful meatballs with creamy sauce, egg noodles, and melted Swiss cheese for a hearty and delicious family meal perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ onion, grated
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Noodles and Sauce
- 2 ½ cups egg noodles
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups Swiss cheese, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare it for assembling the casserole later.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, garlic powder, ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Then, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 ½ tablespoons in size for uniform cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the meatballs in batches and cook them until they are browned on all sides, ensuring a flavorful crust. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook them for 2 minutes less than the package instructions to keep them firm, as they will finish cooking in the bake. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with additional salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Assemble & Bake: Spread the cooked noodles evenly in the prepared baking dish. Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the noodles, then pour the creamy sauce over everything. Finally, sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese evenly across the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set.
- Serve: Garnish the baked casserole with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- You can swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- If you prefer, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and noodles to make the dish gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture can introduce a subtle smoky heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
