Description
This Swedish Meatball Noodle Bake combines tender, flavorful meatballs with creamy sauce and tender egg noodles, all baked to golden bubbly perfection topped with melted Swiss cheese. It’s a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
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
Noodles & 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and prepare for baking.
- Make the Meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, garlic powder, ground nutmeg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Roll the mixture into meatballs sized about 1 ½ tablespoons each for uniform cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook them until they are browned on all sides, which locks in flavor and gives a nice crust. Once browned, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add egg noodles and boil them for 2 minutes less than the time stated on the package instructions to keep them slightly firm for baking. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet used for browning, pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook the sauce for about 10 minutes until it slightly thickens. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble & Bake: Spread the cooked noodles evenly into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the noodles, then pour the creamy sauce over everything. Evenly sprinkle the grated Swiss cheese over the dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the Swiss cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. After baking, allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes to set before serving.
- Serve: Garnish the meatball noodle bake with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh flavor and pleasing presentation. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting meal!
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can swap ground beef with a mixture of pork and beef for a more traditional Swedish flavor.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs; for gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- The nutmeg adds a subtle warmth that enhances the Swedish meatball flavor—do not skip it.
- Let the bake rest after cooking to avoid burns and to allow flavors to meld.
- Make sure not to overcook noodles during boiling to prevent them from becoming mushy after baking.
