Description
Creamy, hearty, and comforting — this Swedish Meatball Pasta combines juicy homemade meatballs with a rich, savory cream sauce tossed with tender pasta. Perfect for cozy weeknights or special dinners, ready in under 40 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or beef and pork mix)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, finely minced
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz egg noodles or fettuccine pasta
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, garlic, milk, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until well combined. Shape into small meatballs (about 1 inch each). - Cook the Meatballs:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 8–10 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside. - Boil the Pasta:
Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water. - Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to make a roux. Gradually whisk in beef broth, then add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and heavy cream. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. - Combine Everything:
Return the meatballs to the pan and stir gently to coat them in the sauce. Add the pasta and toss until evenly covered. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. - Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm. Enjoy your creamy, comforting bowl of Swedish Meatball Pasta!
Notes
- For Juicy Meatballs: Don’t overmix the meatball mixture — it can make them tough.
- Brown for Flavor: Browning the meatballs creates that rich flavor that makes the sauce irresistible.
- Consistency Control: If the sauce gets too thick, add a bit of beef broth or pasta water.
- Make Ahead: Cook and store the meatballs and sauce separately; combine with pasta before serving.
- Add Veggies: Mushrooms or spinach can be added for extra texture and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes