Easy Creamy Swedish Meatball Casserole (One-Pan Wonder) Recipe
This Easy Creamy Swedish Meatball Casserole is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender rotini pasta, savory frozen meatballs, and a luscious cream-based sauce infused with Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and warm spices. Baked to bubbly perfection, this dish is perfect for a hassle-free family dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meatballs
- 10 ounces rotini pasta
- 26 ounces frozen pre-cooked meatballs
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well and spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add meatballs: Arrange the frozen pre-cooked meatballs evenly on top of the pasta in the baking dish.
- Make the roux: In a medium skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a smooth paste (roux) without lumps.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: Gradually whisk in the beef broth and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, ground allspice, and nutmeg.
- Simmer and thicken sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine and bake: Carefully pour the creamy sauce over the meatballs and pasta, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the meatballs are heated through.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting casserole!
Notes
- Using pre-cooked frozen meatballs saves time and ensures evenly cooked meat.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente since it will continue cooking slightly in the oven.
- The roux helps thicken the creamy sauce for a luxurious texture.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference before baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor as a garnish.
Keywords: Swedish meatball casserole, creamy meatball pasta, one-pan casserole, easy dinner recipe, baked pasta with meatballs
